diff --git a/ckan/logic/action/get.py b/ckan/logic/action/get.py
index f56d64cb5a4..0f1bc219f14 100644
--- a/ckan/logic/action/get.py
+++ b/ckan/logic/action/get.py
@@ -1448,9 +1448,6 @@ def package_search(context, data_dict):
     # the query
     abort = data_dict.get('abort_search', False)
 
-    if data_dict.get('sort') in (None, 'rank'):
-        data_dict['sort'] = 'score desc, metadata_modified desc'
-
     if data_dict.get('sort') in (None, 'rank'):
         data_dict['sort'] = 'score desc, metadata_modified desc'