diff --git a/drivers/mtd/spi/sf-uclass.c b/drivers/mtd/spi/sf-uclass.c
index 12d132152d..fd1bec80d6 100644
--- a/drivers/mtd/spi/sf-uclass.c
+++ b/drivers/mtd/spi/sf-uclass.c
@@ -46,11 +46,6 @@ struct spi_flash *spi_flash_probe(unsigned int bus, unsigned int cs,
 	return dev_get_uclass_priv(dev);
 }
 
-void spi_flash_free(struct spi_flash *flash)
-{
-	device_remove(flash->spi->dev, DM_REMOVE_NORMAL);
-}
-
 int spi_flash_probe_bus_cs(unsigned int busnum, unsigned int cs,
 			   unsigned int max_hz, unsigned int spi_mode,
 			   struct udevice **devp)
diff --git a/include/spi_flash.h b/include/spi_flash.h
index 85cae32cc7..478c543b06 100644
--- a/include/spi_flash.h
+++ b/include/spi_flash.h
@@ -97,7 +97,9 @@ struct spi_flash *spi_flash_probe(unsigned int bus, unsigned int cs,
 				  unsigned int max_hz, unsigned int spi_mode);
 
 /* Compatibility function - this is the old U-Boot API */
-void spi_flash_free(struct spi_flash *flash);
+static inline void spi_flash_free(struct spi_flash *flash)
+{
+}
 
 static inline int spi_flash_read(struct spi_flash *flash, u32 offset,
 				 size_t len, void *buf)