diff --git a/eth/backend.go b/eth/backend.go
index e616b5f2f1..e95fb67159 100644
--- a/eth/backend.go
+++ b/eth/backend.go
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ package eth
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"math/big"
 	"runtime"
@@ -105,9 +104,6 @@ type Ethereum struct {
 // whose lifecycle will be managed by the provided node.
 func New(stack *node.Node, config *ethconfig.Config) (*Ethereum, error) {
 	// Ensure configuration values are compatible and sane
-	if config.SyncMode == downloader.LightSync {
-		return nil, errors.New("can't run eth.Ethereum in light sync mode, light mode has been deprecated")
-	}
 	if !config.SyncMode.IsValid() {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid sync mode %d", config.SyncMode)
 	}