diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/seq_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/seq_module.py
index bcd2932537..0ade3e0e7d 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/seq_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/seq_module.py
@@ -118,8 +118,6 @@ class SequenceDescriptor(MakoModuleDescriptor, XmlDescriptor):
 
     stores_state = True # For remembering where in the sequence the student is
 
-    template_dir_name = 'sequence'
-
     js = {'coffee': [resource_string(__name__, 'js/src/sequence/edit.coffee')]}
     js_module_name = "SequenceDescriptor"
 
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/vertical_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/vertical_module.py
index 738ee9ac5f..397bd3e136 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/vertical_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/vertical_module.py
@@ -45,9 +45,6 @@ class VerticalModule(XModule):
 class VerticalDescriptor(SequenceDescriptor):
     module_class = VerticalModule
 
-    # cdodge: override the SequenceDescript's template_dir_name to point to default template directory
-    template_dir_name = "default"
-
     js = {'coffee': [resource_string(__name__, 'js/src/vertical/edit.coffee')]}
     js_module_name = "VerticalDescriptor"