diff --git a/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.hpp b/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.hpp
index 6a54d584f..5a85bb9e1 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.hpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.hpp
@@ -234,12 +234,6 @@ public:
      */
     void SetDiscoverParameters(const Mac::ChannelMask &aScanChannels);
 
-    /**
-     * This method frees any indirect messages queued for children that are no longer attached.
-     *
-     */
-    void UpdateIndirectMessages(void);
-
     /**
      * This method frees any messages queued for an existing child.
      *