diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc
index 45d49b40a3..27f46456fc 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc
@@ -747,11 +747,6 @@ EngineControl::refresh_midi_display (std::string focus)
 	}
 }
 
-void
-EngineControl::update_sensitivity ()
-{
-}
-
 void
 EngineControl::backend_changed ()
 {
@@ -888,7 +883,6 @@ EngineControl::set_device_popdown_strings ()
 
 
 	if (!available_devices.empty()) {
-		update_sensitivity ();
 
 		{
 			string current_device, found_device;
@@ -934,7 +928,6 @@ EngineControl::set_input_device_popdown_strings ()
 	}
 
 	if (!available_devices.empty()) {
-		update_sensitivity ();
 
 		{
 			string current_device, found_device;
@@ -981,7 +974,6 @@ EngineControl::set_output_device_popdown_strings ()
 	}
 
 	if (!available_devices.empty()) {
-		update_sensitivity ();
 
 		{
 			string current_device, found_device;
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.h b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.h
index 4d7d54163c..7973ab9633 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.h
@@ -250,7 +250,6 @@ class EngineControl : public ArdourDialog, public PBD::ScopedConnectionList {
     void manage_control_app_sensitivity ();
     int push_state_to_backend (bool start);
     void post_push ();
-    void update_sensitivity ();
 
     /* latency measurement */
     void latency_button_clicked ();