diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
@@ -129,8 +129,6 @@
                             help="Attach a python debugger if test fails")
         parser.add_argument("--usecli", dest="usecli", default=False, action="store_true",
                             help="use bitcoin-cli instead of RPC for all commands")
-        parser.add_argument("--with-phononactivation", dest="phononactivation", default=False, action="store_true",
-                            help="Activate phonon update on timestamp {}".format(TIMESTAMP_IN_THE_PAST))
         parser.add_argument("--with-axionactivation", dest="axionactivation", default=False, action="store_true",
                             help="Activate axion update on timestamp {}".format(TIMESTAMP_IN_THE_PAST))
         self.add_options(parser)
@@ -356,9 +354,6 @@
                 use_cli=self.options.usecli,
                 emulator=self.options.emulator,
             ))
-            if self.options.phononactivation:
-                self.nodes[i].extend_default_args(
-                    ["-phononactivationtime={}".format(TIMESTAMP_IN_THE_PAST)])
             if self.options.axionactivation:
                 self.nodes[i].extend_default_args(
                     ["-axionactivationtime={}".format(TIMESTAMP_IN_THE_PAST)])
@@ -517,9 +512,6 @@
                     emulator=self.options.emulator,
                 ))
 
-            if self.options.phononactivation:
-                self.nodes[CACHE_NODE_ID].extend_default_args(
-                    ["-phononactivationtime={}".format(TIMESTAMP_IN_THE_PAST)])
             if self.options.axionactivation:
                 self.nodes[CACHE_NODE_ID].extend_default_args(
                     ["-axionactivationtime={}".format(TIMESTAMP_IN_THE_PAST)])