diff --git a/hooks/keystone_context.py b/hooks/keystone_context.py
index 35615b9a..ddbf4568 100644
--- a/hooks/keystone_context.py
+++ b/hooks/keystone_context.py
@@ -163,20 +163,6 @@ class HAProxyContext(context.HAProxyContext):
                 api_port('keystone-public'), a_public_port],
         }
 
-        # use httpchk to ensure the keystone backend is healthy
-        backend_options = {
-            'admin-port': [
-                {'option': 'httpchk GET /v3'},
-                {'http-check': 'expect string stable'}
-            ],
-            'public-port': [
-                {'option': 'httpchk GET /v3'},
-                {'http-check': 'expect string stable'}
-            ]
-        }
-
-        # for haproxy.conf
-        ctxt['backend_options'] = backend_options
         # for haproxy.conf
         ctxt['service_ports'] = port_mapping
         # for keystone.conf
diff --git a/unit_tests/test_keystone_contexts.py b/unit_tests/test_keystone_contexts.py
index 4584bbf8..8a75cd4a 100644
--- a/unit_tests/test_keystone_contexts.py
+++ b/unit_tests/test_keystone_contexts.py
@@ -135,16 +135,6 @@ class TestKeystoneContexts(CharmTestCase):
                 'admin-port': ['12', '34'],
                 'public-port': ['12', '34']
             },
-            'backend_options': {
-                'admin-port': [
-                    {'option': 'httpchk GET /v3'},
-                    {'http-check': 'expect string stable'}
-                ],
-                'public-port': [
-                    {'option': 'httpchk GET /v3'},
-                    {'http-check': 'expect string stable'}
-                ]
-            },
             'default_backend': '1.2.3.4',
             'frontends': {
                 '1.2.3.4': {