diff --git a/Doc/texinputs/distutils.sty b/Doc/texinputs/distutils.sty
index f934c02a756..45e2ed11b3a 100644
--- a/Doc/texinputs/distutils.sty
+++ b/Doc/texinputs/distutils.sty
@@ -29,10 +29,5 @@
 % disagree.  Pistols at dawn will sort this one out.
 \newcommand{\filevar}[1]{{\textsl{\filenq{#1}}}}
 
-% These two are handy for writing pathnames for Unix and Windows
-% (respectively).  I define my own macros because I'm a lazy typist.
-\renewcommand{\tilde}{\textasciitilde}
-\newcommand{\bslash}{\textbackslash}
-
 % Just while the code and docs are still under development.
 \newcommand{\XXX}[1]{\textbf{**#1**}}