diff --git a/contrib/gerrit.mkd b/contrib/gerrit.mkd
index e55cf47..679f1a9 100644
--- a/contrib/gerrit.mkd
+++ b/contrib/gerrit.mkd
@@ -92,6 +92,10 @@ review stuff :)
 
   * gitolite doesnt do anything special to signed or annotated tags
 
+  * gitolite always allows creating a branch.  The only way to prevent that is
+    to list out allowed branches explicitly (make sure you end the refex with
+    a `$`!).
+
   * Force push is the same as delete: historically (and by default, even now)
     gitolite does the same .  However, I've only recently (and somewhat
     reluctantly) changed gitolite to allow treating these two separately.
diff --git a/doc/3-faq-tips-etc.mkd b/doc/3-faq-tips-etc.mkd
index 3ad27fd..f5ac1da 100644
--- a/doc/3-faq-tips-etc.mkd
+++ b/doc/3-faq-tips-etc.mkd
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ In this document:
           * <a href="#better_logging">better logging</a>
           * <a href="#exclude_or_deny_rules">"exclude" (or "deny") rules</a>
           * <a href="#separating_delete_and_rewind_rights">separating delete and rewind rights</a>
-          * <a href="#separating_create_and_push_rights">separating create and push rights</a>
           * <a href="#file_dir_NAME_based_restrictions">file/dir NAME based restrictions</a>
           * <a href="#delegating_parts_of_the_config_file">delegating parts of the config file</a>
       * <a href="#convenience_features">convenience features</a>
@@ -384,40 +383,6 @@ message when you push, a non-existant user.
 
 [sdrr]: http://groups.google.com/group/gitolite/browse_thread/thread/9f2b4358ce406d4c#
 
-<a name="separating_create_and_push_rights"></a>
-
-##### separating create and push rights
-
-[note: the documentation took longer to write than the code ;-)]
-
-Now you can disallow creation of new refs if you like.
-
-Normally, when you try to update a ref (push a branch or a tag), it's checked
-against all the refexes, and if none of them match for the operation you're
-trying (W or +), or it matches a "-", the operation is denied.
-
-That is, most refs are default "deny".
-
-`CREATE_REF` is a "fake" refex that controls the ability to *create* a branch,
-even if you are allowed to *push* changes to it.
-
-The right to create a ref (i.e., push a brand new one), however, defaults to
-"accept" unless a deny rule is found.  This is mainly for backward compat
-reasons, but also because this feature is rarely needed, so there's no point
-burdening everyone with having to create the opposite rule.
-
-So if you want to prevent someone from *creating* any branches that they
-otherwise *can* push, make sure that the first rule that applies to them is a
-`- CREATE_REF` rule, like line #3 below:
-
-    repo    foo
-        RW+             =   @leads
-        -   CREATE_REF  =   @devs
-        RW+             =   @devs
-
-One side effect is that you now can no longer have an *actual* branch called
-`CREATE_REF`.  Oh well, into each life some rain must fall!
-
 <a name="file_dir_NAME_based_restrictions"></a>
 
 ##### file/dir NAME based restrictions
diff --git a/hooks/common/update b/hooks/common/update
index 51def0d..b77d6ec 100755
--- a/hooks/common/update
+++ b/hooks/common/update
@@ -82,8 +82,6 @@ push @allowed_refs, @ { $repos{$ENV{GL_REPO}}{'@all'} || [] };
 # been specified
 
 my @refs = ($ref);      # the first ref to check is the real one
-# if a new ref is being created, add a special ref to record that
-push @refs, 'refs/heads/CREATE_REF' if $oldsha eq '0' x 40;
 # because making it work screws up efficiency like no tomorrow...
 if (exists $repos{$ENV{GL_REPO}}{NAME_LIMITS}) {
     # this is special to git -- the hash of an empty tree
diff --git a/src/gitolite.pm b/src/gitolite.pm
index 875d83e..c2de81f 100644
--- a/src/gitolite.pm
+++ b/src/gitolite.pm
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ sub check_ref {
         # as far as *this* ref is concerned we're ok
         return $refex if ($ar->[2] =~ /\Q$perm/);
     }
-    die "$perm $ref $repo $ENV{GL_USER} DENIED by fallthru\n" unless $ref eq 'refs/heads/CREATE_REF';
+    die "$perm $ref $repo $ENV{GL_USER} DENIED by fallthru\n";
 }
 
 # ln -sf :-)