diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_selection_tool.cpp b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_selection_tool.cpp
index 506993d252..6070cc6fe9 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_selection_tool.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_selection_tool.cpp
@@ -2910,15 +2910,6 @@ bool PCB_SELECTION_TOOL::Selectable( const BOARD_ITEM* aItem, bool checkVisibili
         if( m_isFootprintEditor )
             return false;
 
-        // Allow selection of footprints if some part of the footprint is visible.
-        if( footprint->GetSide() != UNDEFINED_LAYER && !m_skip_heuristics )
-        {
-            LSET boardSide = footprint->IsFlipped() ? LSET::BackMask() : LSET::FrontMask();
-
-            if( !( visibleLayers() & boardSide ).any() )
-                return false;
-        }
-
         // If the footprint has no items except the reference and value fields, include the
         // footprint in the selections.
         if( footprint->GraphicalItems().empty()