diff --git a/modules/services/hardware/udev.nix b/modules/services/hardware/udev.nix
index 2af4a50e230..98443f9758a 100644
--- a/modules/services/hardware/udev.nix
+++ b/modules/services/hardware/udev.nix
@@ -138,9 +138,7 @@ in
         Whether to try to load kernel modules for all detected hardware.
         Usually this does a good job of providing you with the modules
         you need, but sometimes it can crash the system or cause other
-        nasty effects.  If the hardware scan is turned on, it can be
-        disabled at boot time by adding the <literal>safemode</literal>
-        parameter to the kernel command line.
+        nasty effects.
       '';
     };
 
diff --git a/modules/system/boot/stage-2-init.sh b/modules/system/boot/stage-2-init.sh
index 28d721e6b65..10165049046 100644
--- a/modules/system/boot/stage-2-init.sh
+++ b/modules/system/boot/stage-2-init.sh
@@ -71,9 +71,6 @@ for o in $(cat /proc/cmdline); do
             # !!! argh, can't pass a startup event to Upstart yet.
             exec @shell@
             ;;
-        safemode)
-            safeMode=1
-            ;;
         resume=*)
             set -- $(IFS==; echo $o)
             resumeDevice=$2