diff --git a/browser/components/privatebrowsing/content/aboutPrivateBrowsing.xhtml b/browser/components/privatebrowsing/content/aboutPrivateBrowsing.xhtml
index 6fc77b5c94b..15547848418 100644
--- a/browser/components/privatebrowsing/content/aboutPrivateBrowsing.xhtml
+++ b/browser/components/privatebrowsing/content/aboutPrivateBrowsing.xhtml
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@
           <p>&privatebrowsingpage.longDesc;</p>
         </div>
 
+# XXX do not show the clear recent history section until bug 453440 is fixed
+#if 0
         <!-- Clear Recent History -->
         <div id="clearRecentHistoryDesc">
           <p>&privatebrowsingpage.clearRecentHistoryDesc;</p>
@@ -86,6 +88,7 @@
                   accesskey="&privatebrowsingpage.recentHistory.accesskey;"
                   disabled="true"/>
         </div>
+#endif
 
         <!-- Footer -->
         <div id="footerDesc">