diff --git a/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh b/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh
index 9c3057ed00..2abb6f81c9 100755
--- a/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh
+++ b/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh
@@ -10,13 +10,6 @@ N="
 
 _C=0
 
-# valid interface?
-if_valid () (
-  ifconfig "$1" >&- 2>&- ||
-  [ "${1%%[0-9]}" = "br" ] ||
-  { debug "# missing interface '$1' ignored"; false; }
-)
-
 hotplug_dev() {
 	env -i ACTION=$1 INTERFACE=$2 /sbin/hotplug net
 }