diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/lisp.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/lisp.el
index 5a89923f8f..fd6018988e 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/lisp.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/lisp.el
@@ -723,11 +723,12 @@ insert-parentheses
   (interactive "P")
   (insert-pair arg ?\( ?\)))
 
-(defun delete-pair ()
+(defun delete-pair (&optional arg)
   "Delete a pair of characters enclosing the sexp that follows point."
-  (interactive)
-  (save-excursion (forward-sexp 1) (delete-char -1))
-  (delete-char 1))
+  (interactive "p")
+  (unless arg (setq arg 1))
+  (save-excursion (forward-sexp arg) (delete-char (if (> arg 0) -1 1)))
+  (delete-char (if (> arg 0) 1 -1)))
 
 (defun raise-sexp (&optional arg)
   "Raise ARG sexps higher up the tree."