diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/tabbar.ts b/packages/widgets/src/tabbar.ts
index 1c1aedd49..f3b909aba 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/tabbar.ts
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/tabbar.ts
@@ -1070,24 +1070,6 @@ export class TabBar<T> extends Widget {
       detachRequested: false
     };
 
-    // Add the document pointer up listener.
-    this.document.addEventListener('pointerup', this, true);
-
-    // Do nothing else if the middle button or add button is clicked.
-    if (event.button === 1 || addButtonClicked) {
-      return;
-    }
-    if (scrollBeforeButtonClicked || scrollAfterButtonClicked) {
-      this.beginScrolling(scrollBeforeButtonClicked ? '-' : '+');
-      return;
-    }
-
-    // Do nothing else if the close icon is clicked.
-    let icon = tabs[index].querySelector(this.renderer.closeIconSelector);
-    if (icon && icon.contains(event.target as HTMLElement)) {
-      return;
-    }
-
     // Add the extra listeners if the tabs are movable.
     if (this.tabsMovable) {
       this.document.addEventListener('pointermove', this, true);