diff --git a/distribution/rpm/pom.xml b/distribution/rpm/pom.xml
index 24074065c32..61c97082211 100644
--- a/distribution/rpm/pom.xml
+++ b/distribution/rpm/pom.xml
@@ -13,9 +13,6 @@
     <name>Elasticsearch RPM Distribution</name>
     <packaging>rpm</packaging>
 
-    <properties>
-    </properties>
-
     <build>
 
         <filters>
diff --git a/distribution/tar/pom.xml b/distribution/tar/pom.xml
index b14e3534f4e..a6ace25c466 100644
--- a/distribution/tar/pom.xml
+++ b/distribution/tar/pom.xml
@@ -12,9 +12,6 @@
     <artifactId>elasticsearch-tar</artifactId>
     <name>Elasticsearch TAR Distribution</name>
 
-    <properties>
-    </properties>
-
     <build>
         <filters>
             <filter>${project.basedir}/../src/main/packaging/packaging.properties</filter>
diff --git a/distribution/zip/pom.xml b/distribution/zip/pom.xml
index f2ba60133f1..dd0621b2e04 100644
--- a/distribution/zip/pom.xml
+++ b/distribution/zip/pom.xml
@@ -12,9 +12,6 @@
     <artifactId>elasticsearch-zip</artifactId>
     <name>Elasticsearch ZIP Distribution</name>
 
-    <properties>
-    </properties>
-
     <build>
         <filters>
             <filter>${project.basedir}/../src/main/packaging/packaging.properties</filter>