diff --git a/refs.c b/refs.c
index 792226158..d20834054 100644
--- a/refs.c
+++ b/refs.c
@@ -943,13 +943,6 @@ static struct ref_cache *get_ref_cache(const char *submodule)
 	return refs;
 }
 
-void invalidate_ref_cache(const char *submodule)
-{
-	struct ref_cache *refs = get_ref_cache(submodule);
-	clear_packed_ref_cache(refs);
-	clear_loose_ref_cache(refs);
-}
-
 /* The length of a peeled reference line in packed-refs, including EOL: */
 #define PEELED_LINE_LENGTH 42
 
diff --git a/refs.h b/refs.h
index 9e5db3ae2..861170d69 100644
--- a/refs.h
+++ b/refs.h
@@ -151,14 +151,6 @@ extern void unlock_ref(struct ref_lock *lock);
 /** Writes sha1 into the ref specified by the lock. **/
 extern int write_ref_sha1(struct ref_lock *lock, const unsigned char *sha1, const char *msg);
 
-/*
- * Invalidate the reference cache for the specified submodule.  Use
- * submodule=NULL to invalidate the cache for the main module.  This
- * function must be called if references are changed via a mechanism
- * other than the refs API.
- */
-extern void invalidate_ref_cache(const char *submodule);
-
 /** Setup reflog before using. **/
 int log_ref_setup(const char *ref_name, char *logfile, int bufsize);