diff --git a/lib/handlers.js b/lib/handlers.js
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/lib/handlers.js
+++ b/lib/handlers.js
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ export const handlers = {
   list,
   listItem,
   text,
-  escape: text, // To do: remove next major
   linkReference: reference,
   imageReference: reference,
   table,
@@ -56,10 +55,7 @@ const p = macro('P', '\n')
  * @returns {string}
  */
 function textDecoration(enter, value, exit) {
-  // Previously, remark sometimes gave empty nodes.
-  /* c8 ignore next */
-  const clean = String(value || '')
-  return '\\f' + enter + clean + '\\f' + exit
+  return '\\f' + enter + value + '\\f' + exit
 }
 
 /**
Remove ancient remark fallbacks