diff --git a/doc/conf.py b/doc/conf.py
index 5b674b2ea78..8a68d856fc9 100644
--- a/doc/conf.py
+++ b/doc/conf.py
@@ -98,13 +98,6 @@ if not west_found:
 else:
     exclude_patterns.append("**/*west-not-found*")
 
-# This change will allow us to use bare back-tick notation to let
-# Sphinx hunt for a reference, starting with normal "document"
-# references such as :ref:, but also including :c: and :cpp: domains
-# (potentially) helping with API (doxygen) references simply by using
-# `name`
-default_role = "any"
-
 pygments_style = "sphinx"
 
 todo_include_todos = False