diff --git a/man/systemctl.xml b/man/systemctl.xml
index 45955da17..2a23655cf 100644
--- a/man/systemctl.xml
+++ b/man/systemctl.xml
@@ -942,28 +942,6 @@ kobject-uevent 1 systemd-udevd-kernel.socket systemd-udevd.service
         </listitem>
       </varlistentry>
 
-      <varlistentry>
-        <term><command>load <replaceable>NAME</replaceable>...</command></term>
-
-        <listitem>
-          <para>Load one or more units specified on the command
-          line. This will simply load their configuration from disk,
-          but not start them. To start them, you need to use the
-          <command>start</command> command which will implicitly load
-          a unit that has not been loaded yet. Note that systemd
-          garbage collects loaded units that are not active or
-          referenced by an active unit. This means that units loaded
-          this way will usually not stay loaded for long. Also note
-          that this command cannot be used to reload unit
-          configuration. Use the <command>daemon-reload</command>
-          command for that. All in all, this command is of little use
-          except for debugging.</para>
-
-          <para>This command should not be confused with the
-          <command>daemon-reload</command> or
-          <command>reload</command>.</para>
-        </listitem>
-      </varlistentry>
       <varlistentry>
         <term><command>list-jobs</command></term>
 
diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
index 08981a800..60dee5dc6 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
@@ -1388,36 +1388,6 @@ static int list_jobs(DBusConnection *bus, char **args) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int load_unit(DBusConnection *bus, char **args) {
-        char **name;
-
-        assert(args);
-
-        STRV_FOREACH(name, args+1) {
-                _cleanup_free_ char *n = NULL;
-                int r;
-
-                n = unit_name_mangle(*name);
-                if (!n)
-                        return log_oom();
-
-                r = bus_method_call_with_reply(
-                                bus,
-                                "org.freedesktop.systemd1",
-                                "/org/freedesktop/systemd1",
-                                "org.freedesktop.systemd1.Manager",
-                                "LoadUnit",
-                                NULL,
-                                NULL,
-                                DBUS_TYPE_STRING, &n,
-                                DBUS_TYPE_INVALID);
-                if (r < 0)
-                        return r;
-        }
-
-        return 0;
-}
-
 static int cancel_job(DBusConnection *bus, char **args) {
         char **name;
 
@@ -4687,7 +4657,6 @@ static int systemctl_help(void) {
                "  help [NAME...|PID...]           Show manual for one or more units\n"
                "  reset-failed [NAME...]          Reset failed state for all, one, or more\n"
                "                                  units\n"
-               "  load [NAME...]                  Load one or more units\n"
                "  list-dependencies [NAME]        Recursively show units which are required\n"
                "                                  or wanted by this unit or by which this\n"
                "                                  unit is required or wanted\n\n"