diff --git a/masonry/src/widget/text_area.rs b/masonry/src/widget/text_area.rs
index 239871794..4517009dc 100644
--- a/masonry/src/widget/text_area.rs
+++ b/masonry/src/widget/text_area.rs
@@ -129,12 +129,8 @@ impl<const EDITABLE: bool> TextArea<EDITABLE> {
     ///
     // This is written out fully to appease rust-analyzer; StyleProperty is imported but not recognised.
     /// To change the font size, use `with_style`, setting [`StyleProperty::FontSize`](parley::StyleProperty::FontSize).
-    pub fn new(mut text: &str) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(text: &str) -> Self {
         let mut editor = PlainEditor::new(theme::TEXT_SIZE_NORMAL);
-        // // HACK: Parley crashes if the *initial* text is empty; any subsequent version seems to be fine.
-        // if text.is_empty() {
-        //     text = " ";
-        // }
         editor.set_text(text);
         TextArea {
             editor,