diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py b/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py
index dfe31967deb0..dd334591db79 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py
@@ -1398,13 +1398,7 @@ def drag_pan(self, button, key, x, y):
             t, r = p.trans_inverse.transform_point((x, y))
 
             # Deal with theta
-            dt0 = t - startt
-            dt1 = startt - t
-            if abs(dt1) < abs(dt0):
-                dt = abs(dt1) * np.sign(dt0) * -1.0
-            else:
-                dt = dt0 * -1.0
-            dt = (dt / np.pi) * 180.0
+            dt = np.rad2deg(startt - t)
             self.set_rlabel_position(p.r_label_angle - dt)
 
             trans, vert1, horiz1 = self.get_yaxis_text1_transform(0.0)