diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index 15c4f376c72..0e9c6e3d702 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ Incompatible changes
   modules have node_id for cross reference
 * #6903: py domain: Non intended behavior is removed such as ``say_hello_``
   links to ``.. py:function:: say_hello()``
+* #7246: py domain: Drop special cross reference helper for exceptions,
+  functions and methods
 
 Deprecated
 ----------
diff --git a/sphinx/domains/python.py b/sphinx/domains/python.py
index e667f91dc7c..4fd7dab08f7 100644
--- a/sphinx/domains/python.py
+++ b/sphinx/domains/python.py
@@ -1110,14 +1110,6 @@ def find_obj(self, env: BuildEnvironment, modname: str, classname: str,
             elif modname and classname and \
                     modname + '.' + classname + '.' + name in self.objects:
                 newname = modname + '.' + classname + '.' + name
-            # special case: builtin exceptions have module "exceptions" set
-            elif type == 'exc' and '.' not in name and \
-                    'exceptions.' + name in self.objects:
-                newname = 'exceptions.' + name
-            # special case: object methods
-            elif type in ('func', 'meth') and '.' not in name and \
-                    'object.' + name in self.objects:
-                newname = 'object.' + name
         if newname is not None:
             matches.append((newname, self.objects[newname]))
         return matches