diff --git a/markdown_it/cli/parse.py b/markdown_it/cli/parse.py
index 32374d31..9660d64b 100644
--- a/markdown_it/cli/parse.py
+++ b/markdown_it/cli/parse.py
@@ -40,13 +40,11 @@ def convert_file(filename):
         sys.exit('Cannot open file "{}".'.format(filename))
 
 
-def interactive(import_readline=False):
+def interactive():
     """
     Parse user input, dump to stdout, rinse and repeat.
     Python REPL style.
     """
-    if import_readline:
-        _import_readline()
     print_heading()
     contents = []
     more = False
@@ -98,13 +96,6 @@ def parse_args(args):
     return parser.parse_args(args)
 
 
-def _import_readline():
-    try:
-        import readline  # noqa: F401
-    except ImportError:
-        print("[warning] readline library not available.")
-
-
 def print_heading():
     print("{} (interactive)".format(version_str))
     print("Type Ctrl-D to complete input, or Ctrl-C to exit.")
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index 191ea0fb..af0dcd58 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -24,5 +24,5 @@ def mock_input(prompt):
 
     with patch("builtins.print") as patched:
         with patch("builtins.input", mock_input):
-            parse.interactive(import_readline=False)
+            parse.interactive()
     patched.assert_called()