diff --git a/augur/argparse_.py b/augur/argparse_.py
index ac1861ccb..d979b1acf 100644
--- a/augur/argparse_.py
+++ b/augur/argparse_.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def run(args):
     parser.set_defaults(__command__ = default_command)
 
 
-def register_commands(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser, commands, command_attribute='__command__'):
+def register_commands(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser, commands):
     """
     Add subparsers for each command module.
 
@@ -56,10 +56,6 @@ def register_commands(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser, commands, command_attribu
         # Allow each command to register its own subparser
         subparser = command.register_parser(subparsers)
 
-        # Add default attribute for command module
-        if command_attribute:
-            subparser.set_defaults(**{command_attribute: command})
-
         # Ensure all subparsers format like the top-level parser
         subparser.formatter_class = parser.formatter_class
 
diff --git a/augur/curate/__init__.py b/augur/curate/__init__.py
index 6b92b58f2..2b21ead8f 100644
--- a/augur/curate/__init__.py
+++ b/augur/curate/__init__.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 from . import format_dates, normalize_strings, passthru, titlecase, apply_geolocation_rules, apply_record_annotations, abbreviate_authors, parse_genbank_location, transform_strain_name, rename
 
 
-SUBCOMMAND_ATTRIBUTE = '_curate_subcommand'
 SUBCOMMANDS = [
     passthru,
     normalize_strings,