diff --git a/modules/behavior/drag.js b/modules/behavior/drag.js
index 898f689be..9a42a08fa 100644
--- a/modules/behavior/drag.js
+++ b/modules/behavior/drag.js
@@ -149,7 +149,6 @@ export function behaviorDrag() {
 
 
     function behavior(selection) {
-        _pointerId = null;
         var matchesSelector = utilPrefixDOMProperty('matchesSelector');
         var delegate = pointerdown;