diff --git a/devstack/upgrade/settings b/devstack/upgrade/settings
index 5a5e67849..96641b2c7 100644
--- a/devstack/upgrade/settings
+++ b/devstack/upgrade/settings
@@ -4,8 +4,5 @@ register_db_to_save designate
 devstack_localrc base enable_plugin designate https://git.openstack.org/openstack/designate
 devstack_localrc target enable_plugin designate https://git.openstack.org/openstack/designate
 
-devstack_localrc base DESIGNATE_BACKEND_DRIVER=powerdns
-devstack_localrc target DESIGNATE_BACKEND_DRIVER=powerdns
-
 devstack_localrc base enable_service designate-api designate-central designate-pool-manager designate-zone-manager designate-mdns designate-agent designate-sink designate horizon
 devstack_localrc target enable_service designate-api designate-central designate-pool-manager designate-zone-manager designate-mdns designate-agent designate-sink designate horizon