diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single.py b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single.py
index d351593a1b..f18d1eada1 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from qt.core import (
     QApplication, QDialog, QDialogButtonBox, QFrame, QGridLayout, QGroupBox,
     QHBoxLayout, QIcon, QInputDialog, QKeySequence, QMenu, QPushButton, QScrollArea,
     QShortcut, QSize, QSizePolicy, QSpacerItem, QSplitter, Qt, QTabWidget,
-    QToolButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget, pyqtSignal, QPalette
+    QToolButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget, pyqtSignal
 )
 
 from calibre.constants import ismacos
@@ -743,13 +743,6 @@ class Splitter(QSplitter):
         return QSplitter.resizeEvent(self, ev)
 
 
-def color_splitter_handle(splitter):
-    # Slightly color the splitter handle. The Base color role takes light and
-    # dark mode into effect.
-    c = splitter.palette().color(QPalette.ColorRole.Base)
-    splitter.setStyleSheet("QSplitter::Handle { background: %s }"%c.name())
-
-
 class MetadataSingleDialog(MetadataSingleDialogBase):  # {{{
 
     def do_layout(self):
@@ -806,7 +799,6 @@ class MetadataSingleDialog(MetadataSingleDialogBase):  # {{{
         tl.addWidget(self.formats_manager, 0, 6, 3, 1)
 
         self.splitter = Splitter(Qt.Orientation.Horizontal, self)
-        color_splitter_handle(self.splitter)
         self.splitter.addWidget(self.cover)
         self.splitter.frame_resized.connect(self.cover.frame_resized)
         l.addWidget(self.splitter)
@@ -1047,7 +1039,6 @@ class MetadataSingleDialogAlt1(MetadataSingleDialogBase):  # {{{
         wgl.addWidget(self.formats_manager)
 
         self.splitter = QSplitter(Qt.Orientation.Horizontal, tab1)
-        color_splitter_handle(self.splitter)
         tab1.l.addWidget(self.splitter)
         self.splitter.addWidget(self.cover)
         self.splitter.addWidget(wsp)
@@ -1224,7 +1215,6 @@ class MetadataSingleDialogAlt2(MetadataSingleDialogBase):  # {{{
         self.formats_manager.formats.setMaximumWidth(10000)
         self.formats_manager.formats.setIconSize(QSize(32, 32))
         main_splitter.addWidget(cover_and_formats)
-        color_splitter_handle(main_splitter)
 
     def save_widget_settings(self):
         gprefs['all_on_one_metadata_splitter_1_state'] = bytearray(self.metadata_splitter.saveState())