diff --git a/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-indic-machine.rl b/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-indic-machine.rl
index e6643a1a5..42a8847ea 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-indic-machine.rl
+++ b/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-indic-machine.rl
@@ -68,7 +68,6 @@ forced_rakar = ZWJ H ZWJ Ra;
 symbol = Symbol.N?;
 matra_group = z{0,3}.M.N?.(H | forced_rakar)?;
 syllable_tail = (z?.SM.SM?.ZWNJ?)? A{0,3}? VD{0,2};
-place_holder = PLACEHOLDER | DOTTEDCIRCLE;
 halant_group = (z?.H.(ZWJ.N?)?);
 final_halant_group = halant_group | H.ZWNJ;
 medial_group = CM?;
diff --git a/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl b/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl
index 094a82928..33908734d 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl
+++ b/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ cn = c.ZWJ?.n?;
 symbol = Symbol.N?;
 matra_group = z{0,3}.M.N?.Coeng?;
 syllable_tail = (z?.SM.SM?.ZWNJ?)? A{0,3}? VD{0,2};
-place_holder = PLACEHOLDER | DOTTEDCIRCLE;
 halant_group = (z?.Coeng.(ZWJ.N?)?);
 final_halant_group = halant_group | Coeng.ZWNJ;
 halant_or_matra_group = (final_halant_group | (Coeng.ZWJ)? matra_group{0,4}) (Coeng (cn|V))?;