diff --git a/inc/python b/inc/python
index e3c5e61dd2..07a811e8c3 100644
--- a/inc/python
+++ b/inc/python
@@ -216,18 +216,14 @@ function setup_package_with_req_sync {
     local update_requirements=$(cd $project_dir && git diff --exit-code >/dev/null || echo "changed")
 
     if [[ $update_requirements != "changed" ]]; then
-        if [[ "$REQUIREMENTS_MODE" == "soft" ]]; then
-            if is_in_projects_txt $project_dir; then
-                (cd $REQUIREMENTS_DIR; \
-                    ./.venv/bin/python update.py $project_dir)
-            else
-                # soft update projects not found in requirements project.txt
-                (cd $REQUIREMENTS_DIR; \
-                    ./.venv/bin/python update.py -s $project_dir)
-            fi
-        else
+        if is_in_projects_txt $project_dir; then
             (cd $REQUIREMENTS_DIR; \
                 ./.venv/bin/python update.py $project_dir)
+        else
+            # soft update projects not found in requirements project.txt
+            echo "$project_dir not a constrained repository, soft enforcing requirements"
+            (cd $REQUIREMENTS_DIR; \
+                ./.venv/bin/python update.py -s $project_dir)
         fi
     fi
 
diff --git a/stackrc b/stackrc
index 1ac1338f2c..9cd9c053d7 100644
--- a/stackrc
+++ b/stackrc
@@ -149,17 +149,6 @@ DATABASE_QUERY_LOGGING=$(trueorfalse False DATABASE_QUERY_LOGGING)
 # Zero disables timeouts
 GIT_TIMEOUT=${GIT_TIMEOUT:-0}
 
-# Requirements enforcing mode
-#
-# - strict (default) : ensure all project requirements files match
-#   what's in global requirements.
-#
-# - soft : enforce requirements on everything in
-#   requirements/projects.txt, but do soft updates on all other
-#   repositories (i.e. sync versions for requirements that are in g-r,
-#   but pass through any extras)
-REQUIREMENTS_MODE=${REQUIREMENTS_MODE:-strict}
-
 
 # Repositories
 # ------------