diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index ebf418cfed..3e3e10aa8f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ jobs:
 
           - state: Orchard
             extra_flags: orchard
-            rustflags: '--cfg zcash_unstable="orchard"'
           - state: NU6
             rustflags: '--cfg zcash_unstable="nu6"'
 
diff --git a/zcash_client_backend/src/lib.rs b/zcash_client_backend/src/lib.rs
index 7c5d32cef1..a6928a1b36 100644
--- a/zcash_client_backend/src/lib.rs
+++ b/zcash_client_backend/src/lib.rs
@@ -83,8 +83,3 @@ pub use zcash_protocol::{PoolType, ShieldedProtocol};
 #[cfg(test)]
 #[macro_use]
 extern crate assert_matches;
-
-#[cfg(all(feature = "orchard", not(zcash_unstable = "orchard")))]
-core::compile_error!(
-    "The `orchard` feature flag requires the `zcash_unstable=\"orchard\"` RUSTFLAG."
-);