diff --git a/lisp/net/shr.el b/lisp/net/shr.el
index 0488564f653..7e47d93d81c 100644
--- a/lisp/net/shr.el
+++ b/lisp/net/shr.el
@@ -292,17 +292,17 @@ temporarily blinks with this face."
   :version "28.1")
 
 (defface shr-h4
-  '((t (:inherit default)))
+  '((t))
   "Face for <h4> elements."
   :version "28.1")
 
 (defface shr-h5
-  '((t (:inherit default)))
+  '((t))
   "Face for <h5> elements."
   :version "28.1")
 
 (defface shr-h6
-  '((t (:inherit default)))
+  '((t))
   "Face for <h6> elements."
   :version "28.1")
 
diff --git a/lisp/nxml/nxml-mode.el b/lisp/nxml/nxml-mode.el
index 64e6219e115..9b617b40f09 100644
--- a/lisp/nxml/nxml-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/nxml/nxml-mode.el
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ This is not used directly, but only via inheritance by other faces."
   :group 'nxml-faces)
 
 (defface nxml-text
-  '((t (:inherit default)))
+  '((t))
   "Face used to highlight text."
   :group 'nxml-faces)
 
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/make-mode.el b/lisp/progmodes/make-mode.el
index e34eaba3150..a93b6bfc7a9 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/make-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/make-mode.el
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
   :version "22.1")
 
 (defface makefile-shell
-  '((t (:inherit default)))
+  '((t))
   ;;'((((class color) (min-colors 88) (background light)) (:background  "seashell1"))
   ;;  (((class color) (min-colors 88) (background dark)) (:background  "seashell4")))
   "Face to use for additionally highlighting Shell commands in Font-Lock mode."