diff --git a/src/librustc/hir/pat_util.rs b/src/librustc/hir/pat_util.rs
index b68886ba62c..ea35418bc1b 100644
--- a/src/librustc/hir/pat_util.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/hir/pat_util.rs
@@ -189,20 +189,3 @@ pub fn contains_explicit_ref_binding(&self) -> Option<hir::Mutability> {
         result
     }
 }
-
-impl hir::Arm {
-    /// Checks if the patterns for this arm contain any `ref` or `ref mut`
-    /// bindings, and if yes whether its containing mutable ones or just immutables ones.
-    pub fn contains_explicit_ref_binding(&self) -> Option<hir::Mutability> {
-        // FIXME(tschottdorf): contains_explicit_ref_binding() must be removed
-        // for #42640 (default match binding modes).
-        //
-        // See #44848.
-        self.top_pats_hack().iter()
-                 .filter_map(|pat| pat.contains_explicit_ref_binding())
-                 .max_by_key(|m| match *m {
-                    hir::MutMutable => 1,
-                    hir::MutImmutable => 0,
-                 })
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/_match.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/_match.rs
index 7b971803db5..e0b53525dc9 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/_match.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/_match.rs
@@ -411,11 +411,11 @@ fn demand_discriminant_type(
         //
         // See #44848.
         let contains_ref_bindings = arms.iter()
-                                        .filter_map(|a| a.contains_explicit_ref_binding())
-                                        .max_by_key(|m| match *m {
-                                            hir::MutMutable => 1,
-                                            hir::MutImmutable => 0,
-                                        });
+            .filter_map(|a| a.pat.contains_explicit_ref_binding())
+            .max_by_key(|m| match *m {
+                hir::MutMutable => 1,
+                hir::MutImmutable => 0,
+            });
 
         if let Some(m) = contains_ref_bindings {
             self.check_expr_with_needs(discrim, Needs::maybe_mut_place(m))