diff --git a/lib/src/backend.rs b/lib/src/backend.rs
index 5fc7e9d01..08cd46fbe 100644
--- a/lib/src/backend.rs
+++ b/lib/src/backend.rs
@@ -266,7 +266,6 @@ pub struct Commit {
     pub description: String,
     pub author: Signature,
     pub committer: Signature,
-    pub is_open: bool,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
@@ -393,7 +392,6 @@ pub fn make_root_commit(empty_tree_id: TreeId) -> Commit {
         description: String::new(),
         author: signature.clone(),
         committer: signature,
-        is_open: false,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/src/commit.rs b/lib/src/commit.rs
index 052b4247e..d6bdb5b33 100644
--- a/lib/src/commit.rs
+++ b/lib/src/commit.rs
@@ -117,10 +117,6 @@ impl Commit {
         &self.data
     }
 
-    pub fn is_open(&self) -> bool {
-        self.data.is_open
-    }
-
     pub fn is_empty(&self) -> bool {
         let parents = self.parents();
         // TODO: Perhaps the root commit should also be considered empty.
diff --git a/lib/src/commit_builder.rs b/lib/src/commit_builder.rs
index 147c0684b..b51b1415f 100644
--- a/lib/src/commit_builder.rs
+++ b/lib/src/commit_builder.rs
@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ impl CommitBuilder {
             description: String::new(),
             author: signature.clone(),
             committer: signature,
-            is_open: false,
         };
         CommitBuilder {
             commit,
@@ -86,7 +85,6 @@ impl CommitBuilder {
             description: String::new(),
             author: signature.clone(),
             committer: signature,
-            is_open: true,
         };
         CommitBuilder {
             commit,
@@ -125,11 +123,6 @@ impl CommitBuilder {
         self
     }
 
-    pub fn set_open(mut self, is_open: bool) -> Self {
-        self.commit.is_open = is_open;
-        self
-    }
-
     pub fn set_author(mut self, author: Signature) -> Self {
         self.commit.author = author;
         self
diff --git a/lib/src/git_backend.rs b/lib/src/git_backend.rs
index ba0ba7918..8f0c697c3 100644
--- a/lib/src/git_backend.rs
+++ b/lib/src/git_backend.rs
@@ -125,7 +125,6 @@ fn signature_to_git(signature: &Signature) -> git2::Signature {
 
 fn serialize_extras(commit: &Commit) -> Vec<u8> {
     let mut proto = crate::protos::store::Commit::new();
-    proto.is_open = commit.is_open;
     proto.change_id = commit.change_id.to_bytes();
     for predecessor in &commit.predecessors {
         proto.predecessors.push(predecessor.to_bytes());
@@ -136,7 +135,6 @@ fn serialize_extras(commit: &Commit) -> Vec<u8> {
 fn deserialize_extras(commit: &mut Commit, bytes: &[u8]) {
     let mut cursor = Cursor::new(bytes);
     let proto: crate::protos::store::Commit = Message::parse_from_reader(&mut cursor).unwrap();
-    commit.is_open = proto.is_open;
     commit.change_id = ChangeId::new(proto.change_id);
     for predecessor in &proto.predecessors {
         commit.predecessors.push(CommitId::from_bytes(predecessor));
@@ -390,7 +388,6 @@ impl Backend for GitBackend {
             description,
             author,
             committer,
-            is_open: false,
         };
 
         let table = self.extra_metadata_store.get_head().map_err(|err| {
@@ -591,7 +588,6 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(commit.parents, vec![CommitId::from_bytes(&[0; 20])]);
         assert_eq!(commit.predecessors, vec![]);
         assert_eq!(commit.root_tree.as_bytes(), root_tree_id.as_bytes());
-        assert!(!commit.is_open);
         assert_eq!(commit.description, "git commit message");
         assert_eq!(commit.author.name, "git author");
         assert_eq!(commit.author.email, "git.author@example.com");
@@ -668,7 +664,6 @@ mod tests {
             description: "initial".to_string(),
             author: signature.clone(),
             committer: signature,
-            is_open: false,
         };
         let commit_id = store.write_commit(&commit).unwrap();
         let git_refs = store
@@ -704,7 +699,6 @@ mod tests {
             description: "initial".to_string(),
             author: signature.clone(),
             committer: signature,
-            is_open: false,
         };
         let commit_id1 = store.write_commit(&commit1).unwrap();
         let mut commit2 = commit1;
diff --git a/lib/src/local_backend.rs b/lib/src/local_backend.rs
index 53e55fe98..73b3159a9 100644
--- a/lib/src/local_backend.rs
+++ b/lib/src/local_backend.rs
@@ -267,7 +267,6 @@ pub fn commit_to_proto(commit: &Commit) -> crate::protos::store::Commit {
     proto.description = commit.description.clone();
     proto.author = MessageField::some(signature_to_proto(&commit.author));
     proto.committer = MessageField::some(signature_to_proto(&commit.committer));
-    proto.is_open = commit.is_open;
     proto
 }
 
@@ -289,7 +288,6 @@ fn commit_from_proto(proto: &crate::protos::store::Commit) -> Commit {
         description: proto.description.clone(),
         author: signature_from_proto(&proto.author),
         committer: signature_from_proto(&proto.committer),
-        is_open: proto.is_open,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/src/protos/store.proto b/lib/src/protos/store.proto
index 7f119c989..299ea197f 100644
--- a/lib/src/protos/store.proto
+++ b/lib/src/protos/store.proto
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ message Commit {
   Signature author = 6;
   Signature committer = 7;
 
-  bool is_open = 8;
+  bool is_open = 8 [deprecated = true];
   bool is_pruned = 9 [deprecated = true];
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_commit_builder.rs b/lib/tests/test_commit_builder.rs
index 7d8b38634..082f581b1 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_commit_builder.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_commit_builder.rs
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ fn test_initial(use_git: bool) {
 
     assert_eq!(commit.parents(), vec![store.root_commit()]);
     assert_eq!(commit.predecessors(), vec![]);
-    assert!(!commit.is_open());
     assert_eq!(commit.description(), "");
     assert_eq!(commit.author().name, settings.user_name());
     assert_eq!(commit.author().email, settings.user_email());
@@ -123,7 +122,6 @@ fn test_rewrite(use_git: bool) {
         rewritten_commit.predecessors(),
         vec![initial_commit.clone()]
     );
-    assert!(!rewritten_commit.is_open());
     assert_eq!(rewritten_commit.author().name, settings.user_name());
     assert_eq!(rewritten_commit.author().email, settings.user_email());
     assert_eq!(
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_init.rs b/lib/tests/test_init.rs
index 7a6dfbe4d..82809b522 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_init.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_init.rs
@@ -125,7 +125,6 @@ fn test_init_checkout(use_git: bool) {
     );
     assert_eq!(wc_commit.predecessors(), vec![]);
     assert_eq!(wc_commit.description(), "");
-    assert!(wc_commit.is_open());
     assert_eq!(wc_commit.author().name, settings.user_name());
     assert_eq!(wc_commit.author().email, settings.user_email());
     assert_eq!(wc_commit.committer().name, settings.user_name());
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_mut_repo.rs b/lib/tests/test_mut_repo.rs
index bbd7a8d8c..b7de03ffb 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_mut_repo.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_mut_repo.rs
@@ -22,15 +22,13 @@ use test_case::test_case;
 #[test_case(false ; "local backend")]
 #[test_case(true ; "git backend")]
 fn test_edit(use_git: bool) {
-    // Test that MutableRepo::check_out() uses the requested commit if it's open
+    // Test that MutableRepo::edit() uses the requested commit (not a new child)
     let settings = testutils::user_settings();
     let test_repo = TestRepo::init(use_git);
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
-    let wc_commit = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, repo)
-        .set_open(true)
-        .write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
+    let wc_commit = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, repo).write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
@@ -42,17 +40,15 @@ fn test_edit(use_git: bool) {
 
 #[test_case(false ; "local backend")]
 #[test_case(true ; "git backend")]
-fn test_checkout_closed(use_git: bool) {
-    // Test that MutableRepo::check_out() creates a child if the requested commit is
-    // closed
+fn test_checkout(use_git: bool) {
+    // Test that MutableRepo::check_out() creates a child
     let settings = testutils::user_settings();
     let test_repo = TestRepo::init(use_git);
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
-    let requested_checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, repo)
-        .set_open(false)
-        .write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
+    let requested_checkout =
+        testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, repo).write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
@@ -81,18 +77,14 @@ fn test_checkout_previous_not_empty(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let old_checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, repo)
-        .set_open(true)
-        .write_to_repo(mut_repo);
+    let old_checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, repo).write_to_repo(mut_repo);
     let ws_id = WorkspaceId::default();
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id.clone(), &old_checkout).unwrap();
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let new_checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, &repo)
-        .set_open(true)
-        .write_to_repo(mut_repo);
+    let new_checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, &repo).write_to_repo(mut_repo);
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id, &new_checkout).unwrap();
     mut_repo.rebase_descendants(&settings).unwrap();
     assert!(mut_repo.view().heads().contains(old_checkout.id()));
@@ -121,9 +113,7 @@ fn test_checkout_previous_empty(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let new_wc_commit = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, &repo)
-        .set_open(true)
-        .write_to_repo(mut_repo);
+    let new_wc_commit = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, &repo).write_to_repo(mut_repo);
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id, &new_wc_commit).unwrap();
     mut_repo.rebase_descendants(&settings).unwrap();
     assert!(!mut_repo.view().heads().contains(old_checkout.id()));
@@ -153,9 +143,7 @@ fn test_checkout_previous_empty_with_description(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let new_checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, &repo)
-        .set_open(true)
-        .write_to_repo(mut_repo);
+    let new_checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, &repo).write_to_repo(mut_repo);
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id, &new_checkout).unwrap();
     mut_repo.rebase_descendants(&settings).unwrap();
     assert!(mut_repo.view().heads().contains(old_checkout.id()));
@@ -190,9 +178,7 @@ fn test_checkout_previous_empty_non_head(use_git: bool) {
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
     let mut_repo = tx.mut_repo();
-    let new_checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, &repo)
-        .set_open(true)
-        .write_to_repo(mut_repo);
+    let new_checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, &repo).write_to_repo(mut_repo);
     mut_repo.edit(ws_id, &new_checkout).unwrap();
     mut_repo.rebase_descendants(&settings).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
@@ -211,9 +197,7 @@ fn test_edit_initial(use_git: bool) {
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
-    let checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, repo)
-        .set_open(true)
-        .write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
+    let checkout = testutils::create_random_commit(&settings, repo).write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let repo = tx.commit();
 
     let mut tx = repo.start_transaction("test");
diff --git a/lib/tests/test_rewrite.rs b/lib/tests/test_rewrite.rs
index 8bd8df14f..7e66a5530 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test_rewrite.rs
+++ b/lib/tests/test_rewrite.rs
@@ -1275,7 +1275,6 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout(use_git: bool) {
     let commit_a = create_random_commit(&settings, repo).write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let commit_b = create_random_commit(&settings, repo)
         .set_parents(vec![commit_a.id().clone()])
-        .set_open(true)
         .write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let ws1_id = WorkspaceId::new("ws1".to_string());
     let ws2_id = WorkspaceId::new("ws2".to_string());
@@ -1312,7 +1311,7 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout_abandoned(use_git: bool) {
     let test_repo = TestRepo::init(use_git);
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
-    // Checked-out, open commit B was abandoned. A child of A
+    // Checked-out commit B was abandoned. A child of A
     // should become checked out.
     //
     // B
@@ -1322,7 +1321,6 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout_abandoned(use_git: bool) {
     let commit_a = create_random_commit(&settings, repo).write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let commit_b = create_random_commit(&settings, repo)
         .set_parents(vec![commit_a.id().clone()])
-        .set_open(true)
         .write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let ws1_id = WorkspaceId::new("ws1".to_string());
     let ws2_id = WorkspaceId::new("ws2".to_string());
@@ -1353,7 +1351,6 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout_abandoned(use_git: bool) {
         .store()
         .get_commit(repo.view().get_wc_commit_id(&ws1_id).unwrap())
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(checkout.is_open());
     assert_eq!(checkout.parent_ids(), vec![commit_a.id().clone()]);
     assert_eq!(repo.view().get_wc_commit_id(&ws3_id), Some(commit_a.id()));
 }
@@ -1365,7 +1362,7 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout_abandoned_merge(use_git: bool) {
     let test_repo = TestRepo::init(use_git);
     let repo = &test_repo.repo;
 
-    // Checked-out, open merge commit D was abandoned. A parent commit should become
+    // Checked-out merge commit D was abandoned. A parent commit should become
     // checked out.
     //
     // D
@@ -1383,7 +1380,6 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout_abandoned_merge(use_git: bool) {
         .write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let commit_d = create_random_commit(&settings, repo)
         .set_parents(vec![commit_b.id().clone(), commit_c.id().clone()])
-        .set_open(true)
         .write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let workspace_id = WorkspaceId::default();
     tx.mut_repo()
@@ -1398,6 +1394,5 @@ fn test_rebase_descendants_update_checkout_abandoned_merge(use_git: bool) {
 
     let new_checkout_id = repo.view().get_wc_commit_id(&workspace_id).unwrap();
     let checkout = repo.store().get_commit(new_checkout_id).unwrap();
-    assert!(checkout.is_open());
     assert_eq!(checkout.parent_ids(), vec![commit_b.id().clone()]);
 }
diff --git a/src/commands.rs b/src/commands.rs
index c779298e0..9af972221 100644
--- a/src/commands.rs
+++ b/src/commands.rs
@@ -2374,8 +2374,7 @@ fn cmd_commit(ui: &mut Ui, command: &CommandHelper, args: &CommitArgs) -> Result
         .ok_or_else(|| UserError("This command requires a working copy".to_string()))?;
     let commit = workspace_command.repo().store().get_commit(commit_id)?;
 
-    let mut commit_builder =
-        CommitBuilder::for_rewrite_from(ui.settings(), &commit).set_open(false);
+    let mut commit_builder = CommitBuilder::for_rewrite_from(ui.settings(), &commit);
     let description = if let Some(message) = &args.message {
         message.to_string()
     } else {
@@ -2505,7 +2504,6 @@ fn cmd_new(ui: &mut Ui, command: &CommandHelper, args: &NewArgs) -> Result<(), C
     let new_commit =
         CommitBuilder::for_new_commit(ui.settings(), parent_ids, merged_tree.id().clone())
             .set_description(args.message.clone())
-            .set_open(true)
             .write_to_repo(tx.mut_repo());
     let workspace_id = workspace_command.workspace_id();
     tx.mut_repo().edit(workspace_id, &new_commit).unwrap();