diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/viewModel/markdownCellViewModel.ts b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/viewModel/markdownCellViewModel.ts
index f3bc056da19..c2995e7dbed 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/viewModel/markdownCellViewModel.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/viewModel/markdownCellViewModel.ts
@@ -154,7 +154,6 @@ export class MarkdownCellViewModel extends BaseCellViewModel implements ICellVie
 	}
 
 	onDeselect() {
-		this.editState = CellEditState.Preview;
 	}
 
 	getMarkdownRenderer() {