diff --git a/nix/libstore/store-api.cc b/nix/libstore/store-api.cc
index 0de0b6b298..e3a8ac0995 100644
--- a/nix/libstore/store-api.cc
+++ b/nix/libstore/store-api.cc
@@ -277,10 +277,4 @@ namespace nix {
 std::shared_ptr<StoreAPI> store;
 
 
-std::shared_ptr<StoreAPI> openStore(bool reserveSpace)
-{
-    return std::shared_ptr<StoreAPI>(new LocalStore(reserveSpace));
-}
-
-
 }
diff --git a/nix/libstore/store-api.hh b/nix/libstore/store-api.hh
index 7d2ad2270d..0693085a25 100644
--- a/nix/libstore/store-api.hh
+++ b/nix/libstore/store-api.hh
@@ -365,11 +365,6 @@ Paths topoSortPaths(StoreAPI & store, const PathSet & paths);
 extern std::shared_ptr<StoreAPI> store;
 
 
-/* Factory method: open the Nix database, either through the local or
-   remote implementation. */
-std::shared_ptr<StoreAPI> openStore(bool reserveSpace = true);
-
-
 /* Display a set of paths in human-readable form (i.e., between quotes
    and separated by commas). */
 string showPaths(const PathSet & paths);