diff --git a/Modules/_testcapimodule.c b/Modules/_testcapimodule.c
index b983deeac6a..7ac0e84d2ef 100644
--- a/Modules/_testcapimodule.c
+++ b/Modules/_testcapimodule.c
@@ -4300,8 +4300,6 @@ temporary_c_thread(void *data)
     PyGILState_Release(state);
 
     PyThread_release_lock(test_c_thread->exit_event);
-
-    PyThread_exit_thread();
 }
 
 static PyObject *
diff --git a/Programs/_testembed.c b/Programs/_testembed.c
index d963cb3dc7e..64a8714db02 100644
--- a/Programs/_testembed.c
+++ b/Programs/_testembed.c
@@ -269,8 +269,6 @@ static void bpo20891_thread(void *lockp)
     PyGILState_Release(state);
 
     PyThread_release_lock(lock);
-
-    PyThread_exit_thread();
 }
 
 static int test_bpo20891(void)