diff --git a/datasette/app.py b/datasette/app.py
index 530f79bc..0143223a 100644
--- a/datasette/app.py
+++ b/datasette/app.py
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ from .utils import (
     parse_metadata,
     resolve_env_secrets,
     resolve_routes,
-    fail_if_plugins_in_metadata,
     tilde_decode,
     to_css_class,
     urlsafe_components,
@@ -336,16 +335,13 @@ class Datasette:
             ]
         if config_dir and metadata_files and not metadata:
             with metadata_files[0].open() as fp:
-                metadata = fail_if_plugins_in_metadata(
-                    parse_metadata(fp.read()), metadata_files[0].name
-                )
+                metadata = parse_metadata(fp.read())
 
         if config_dir and config_files and not config:
             with config_files[0].open() as fp:
                 config = parse_metadata(fp.read())
 
-        self._metadata_local = fail_if_plugins_in_metadata(metadata or {})
-
+        self._metadata_local = metadata or {}
         self.sqlite_extensions = []
         for extension in sqlite_extensions or []:
             # Resolve spatialite, if requested
diff --git a/datasette/cli.py b/datasette/cli.py
index 91f38f69..1a5a8af3 100644
--- a/datasette/cli.py
+++ b/datasette/cli.py
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ from .utils import (
     initial_path_for_datasette,
     pairs_to_nested_config,
     temporary_docker_directory,
-    fail_if_plugins_in_metadata,
     value_as_boolean,
     SpatialiteNotFound,
     StaticMount,
@@ -543,7 +542,7 @@ def serve(
 
     metadata_data = None
     if metadata:
-        metadata_data = fail_if_plugins_in_metadata(parse_metadata(metadata.read()))
+        metadata_data = parse_metadata(metadata.read())
 
     config_data = None
     if config:
diff --git a/datasette/utils/__init__.py b/datasette/utils/__init__.py
index 196e1682..75f1c2f4 100644
--- a/datasette/utils/__init__.py
+++ b/datasette/utils/__init__.py
@@ -1272,21 +1272,6 @@ def pairs_to_nested_config(pairs: typing.List[typing.Tuple[str, typing.Any]]) ->
     return result
 
 
-def fail_if_plugins_in_metadata(metadata: dict, filename=None):
-    """If plugin config is inside metadata, raise an Exception"""
-    if metadata is not None and metadata.get("plugins") is not None:
-        suggested_extension = (
-            ".yaml"
-            if filename is not None
-            and (filename.endswith(".yaml") or filename.endswith(".yml"))
-            else ".json"
-        )
-        raise Exception(
-            f'Datasette no longer accepts plugin configuration in --metadata. Move your "plugins" configuration blocks to a separate file - we suggest calling that datasette.{suggested_extension} - and start Datasette with datasette -c datasette.{suggested_extension}. See https://docs.datasette.io/en/latest/configuration.html for more details.'
-        )
-    return metadata
-
-
 def make_slot_function(name, datasette, request, **kwargs):
     from datasette.plugins import pm
 
diff --git a/tests/test_plugins.py b/tests/test_plugins.py
index dad4f2ca..f26e3652 100644
--- a/tests/test_plugins.py
+++ b/tests/test_plugins.py
@@ -883,14 +883,6 @@ def test_hook_forbidden(restore_working_directory):
         )
 
 
-def test_plugin_config_in_metadata():
-    with pytest.raises(
-        Exception,
-        match="Datasette no longer accepts plugin configuration in --metadata",
-    ):
-        Datasette(memory=True, metadata={"plugins": {}})
-
-
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_hook_handle_exception(ds_client):
     await ds_client.get("/trigger-error?x=123")