diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_16550.c b/drivers/serial/uart_16550.c
index 418a91bca4..8d5d3ccc85 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_16550.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_16550.c
@@ -683,17 +683,6 @@ static inline void u16550_disableuartint(FAR struct u16550_s *priv,
   u16550_serialout(priv, UART_IER_OFFSET, priv->ier);
 }
 
-/****************************************************************************
- * Name: u16550_restoreuartint
- ****************************************************************************/
-
-static inline void u16550_restoreuartint(FAR struct u16550_s *priv,
-                                         uint32_t ier)
-{
-  priv->ier |= ier & UART_IER_ALLIE;
-  u16550_serialout(priv, UART_IER_OFFSET, priv->ier);
-}
-
 /****************************************************************************
  * Name: u16550_enablebreaks
  ****************************************************************************/