diff --git a/src/compiler/nir/nir.c b/src/compiler/nir/nir.c
index 9fef5b1f71d..d9757ec1b66 100644
--- a/src/compiler/nir/nir.c
+++ b/src/compiler/nir/nir.c
@@ -2003,7 +2003,7 @@ nir_function_impl_lower_instructions(nir_function_impl *impl,
             nir_if_rewrite_condition(use_src->parent_if, new_src);
 
          if (nir_ssa_def_is_unused(old_def)) {
-            iter = nir_instr_remove(instr);
+            iter = nir_instr_remove_and_dce(instr);
          } else {
             iter = nir_after_instr(instr);
          }
@@ -2017,7 +2017,7 @@ nir_function_impl_lower_instructions(nir_function_impl *impl,
          if (new_def == NIR_LOWER_INSTR_PROGRESS_REPLACE) {
             /* Only instructions without a return value can be removed like this */
             assert(!old_def);
-            iter = nir_instr_remove(instr);
+            iter = nir_instr_remove_and_dce(instr);
             progress = true;
          } else
             iter = nir_after_instr(instr);
diff --git a/src/compiler/nir/nir.h b/src/compiler/nir/nir.h
index d45c5505e68..5d123ab76f4 100644
--- a/src/compiler/nir/nir.h
+++ b/src/compiler/nir/nir.h
@@ -4314,6 +4314,10 @@ typedef nir_ssa_def *(*nir_lower_instr_cb)(struct nir_builder *,
  * will be removed.  If new instructions are added, the lowering callback will
  * also be called on them in case multiple lowerings are required.
  *
+ * If the callback indicates that the original instruction is replaced (either
+ * through a new SSA def or NIR_LOWER_INSTR_PROGRESS_REPLACE), then the
+ * instruction is removed along with any now-dead SSA defs it used.
+ *
  * The metadata for the nir_function_impl will also be updated.  If any blocks
  * are added (they cannot be removed), dominance and block indices will be
  * invalidated.