diff --git a/doc/manpages/frr-zebra.rst b/doc/manpages/frr-zebra.rst
index cfb368bf44..722b011ecd 100644
--- a/doc/manpages/frr-zebra.rst
+++ b/doc/manpages/frr-zebra.rst
@@ -25,10 +25,6 @@ OPTIONS available for the |DAEMON| command:
 
    Runs in batch mode, zebra parses its config and exits.
 
-.. option:: -k, --keep_kernel
-
-   On startup, don't delete self inserted routes.
-
 .. option:: -s, --nl-bufsize <netlink-buffer-size>
 
    Set netlink receive buffer size. There are cases where zebra daemon can't handle flood of netlink messages from kernel. If you ever see "recvmsg overrun" messages in zebra log, you are in trouble.
diff --git a/zebra/main.c b/zebra/main.c
index 2afef46bb2..6b6409f845 100644
--- a/zebra/main.c
+++ b/zebra/main.c
@@ -87,7 +87,6 @@ uint32_t nl_rcvbufsize = 4194304;
 const struct option longopts[] = {
 	{"batch", no_argument, NULL, 'b'},
 	{"allow_delete", no_argument, NULL, 'a'},
-	{"keep_kernel", no_argument, NULL, 'k'},
 	{"socket", required_argument, NULL, 'z'},
 	{"ecmp", required_argument, NULL, 'e'},
 	{"retain", no_argument, NULL, 'r'},