diff --git a/src/lib/commands/forc.c b/src/lib/commands/forc.c
index 7a74bc5a..6bb4b517 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/forc.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/forc.c
@@ -41,10 +41,6 @@ force(void)
 {
     int seconds;
 
-    if (update_pending) {
-	pr("Update is pending\n");
-	return RET_FAIL;
-    }
     if (shutdown_pending) {
 	pr("Shutdown is pending\n");
 	return RET_FAIL;
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/shut.c b/src/lib/commands/shut.c
index 425b65a5..c72304d7 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/shut.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/shut.c
@@ -47,10 +47,6 @@ shut(void)
     struct natstr *us;
     char *p;
 
-    if (update_pending) {
-	pr("Update is pending\n");
-	return RET_FAIL;
-    }
     shutdown_minutes =
 	onearg(player->argp[1],
 	       "Time until shutdown in minutes (0 to abort shutdown sequence)? ");