diff --git a/features/options/contract/help.feature b/features/options/contract/help.feature
index d33a2c65b..50269483d 100644
--- a/features/options/contract/help.feature
+++ b/features/options/contract/help.feature
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ Feature: osrm-contract command line options: help
         And stdout should contain "Configuration:"
         And stdout should contain "--threads"
         And stdout should contain "--core"
-        And stdout should contain "--level-cache"
         And stdout should contain "--segment-speed-file"
         And it should exit with an error
 
@@ -27,7 +26,6 @@ Feature: osrm-contract command line options: help
         And stdout should contain "Configuration:"
         And stdout should contain "--threads"
         And stdout should contain "--core"
-        And stdout should contain "--level-cache"
         And stdout should contain "--segment-speed-file"
         And it should exit successfully
 
@@ -42,6 +40,5 @@ Feature: osrm-contract command line options: help
         And stdout should contain "Configuration:"
         And stdout should contain "--threads"
         And stdout should contain "--core"
-        And stdout should contain "--level-cache"
         And stdout should contain "--segment-speed-file"
         And it should exit successfully
diff --git a/src/tools/contract.cpp b/src/tools/contract.cpp
index ee64b12fc..e7596ae99 100644
--- a/src/tools/contract.cpp
+++ b/src/tools/contract.cpp
@@ -60,10 +60,6 @@ return_code parseArguments(int argc,
             &contractor_config.updater_config.turn_penalty_lookup_paths)
             ->composing(),
         "Lookup files containing from_, to_, via_nodes, and turn penalties to adjust turn weights")(
-        "level-cache,o",
-        boost::program_options::value<bool>(&contractor_config.use_cached_priority)
-            ->default_value(false),
-        "Use .level file to retain the contaction level for each node from the last run.")(
         "edge-weight-updates-over-factor",
         boost::program_options::value<double>(
             &contractor_config.updater_config.log_edge_updates_factor)