diff --git a/src/lib/core/style/_variables.scss b/src/lib/core/style/_variables.scss
index 9366df24ced..94869d686a9 100644
--- a/src/lib/core/style/_variables.scss
+++ b/src/lib/core/style/_variables.scss
@@ -3,9 +3,6 @@
 $mat-xsmall: 'max-width: 599px';
 $mat-small: 'max-width: 959px';
 
-// TODO(crisbeto): this isn't being used anywhere within Material. keeping for backwards compat.
-$mat-font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif !default;
-
 // TODO: Revisit all z-indices before beta
 // z-index master list