diff --git a/shell/panelview.h b/shell/panelview.h
--- a/shell/panelview.h
+++ b/shell/panelview.h
@@ -230,8 +230,6 @@
     Plasma::Theme m_theme;
     QTimer m_positionPaneltimer;
     QTimer m_unhideTimer;
-    //only for the mask, not to actually paint
-    Plasma::FrameSvg *m_background;
     Plasma::Types::BackgroundHints m_backgroundHints;
     Plasma::FrameSvg::EnabledBorders m_enabledBorders = Plasma::FrameSvg::AllBorders;
     KWayland::Client::PlasmaShellSurface *m_shellSurface;
diff --git a/shell/panelview.cpp b/shell/panelview.cpp
--- a/shell/panelview.cpp
+++ b/shell/panelview.cpp
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@
        m_alignment(Qt::AlignLeft),
        m_corona(corona),
        m_visibilityMode(NormalPanel),
-       m_background(nullptr),
        m_backgroundHints(Plasma::Types::StandardBackground),
        m_shellSurface(nullptr)
 {
@@ -962,22 +961,6 @@
         }
     }
 
-    // old hack for non-compositing:
-    // assuming the desktoptheme uses "widgets/panel-background" for the panel
-    // before "panelMask" was added to expected property set of panel objects
-    // TODO: understand if still needed
-    if (mask.isEmpty() && !KWindowSystem::compositingActive()) {
-        if (!m_background) {
-            m_background = new Plasma::FrameSvg(this);
-            m_background->setImagePath(QStringLiteral("widgets/panel-background"));
-        }
-
-        m_background->setEnabledBorders(enabledBorders());
-
-        m_background->resizeFrame(size());
-        mask = m_background->mask();
-    }
-
     setMask(mask);
 }