--- a/less/forwback.c	
+++ a/less/forwback.c	
@@ -323,9 +323,7 @@ back(n, pos, force, only_last)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (nlines == 0)
-		eof_bell();
-	else if (do_repaint)
+	if (do_repaint)
 		repaint();
 	else if (!oldbot)
 		lower_left();