diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/3.16/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/3.16/default.nix
index 6243b2dd6d4..15f4a210e04 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/3.16/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/3.16/default.nix
@@ -37,10 +37,6 @@ rec {
 # Simplify the nixos module and gnome packages
   defaultIconTheme = adwaita-icon-theme;
 
-# Backward compatibility, must be removed in favor of defaultIconTheme
-  gnome_icon_theme = adwaita-icon-theme;
-  gnome_icon_theme_symbolic = adwaita-icon-theme;
-
 #### Core (http://ftp.acc.umu.se/pub/GNOME/core/)
 
   adwaita-icon-theme = callPackage ./core/adwaita-icon-theme { };