diff --git a/include/cantera/numerics/BandMatrix.h b/include/cantera/numerics/BandMatrix.h
index 379373ff3..e846a6879 100644
--- a/include/cantera/numerics/BandMatrix.h
+++ b/include/cantera/numerics/BandMatrix.h
@@ -339,14 +339,6 @@ protected:
 
     //! Extra dp work array needed - size = 3n
     vector_fp work_;
-
-private:
-
-    //! Error function that gets called for unhandled cases
-    /*!
-     * @param msg String containing the message.
-     */
-    void err(const std::string& msg) const;
 };
 
 //! Utility routine to print out the matrix
diff --git a/src/numerics/BandMatrix.cpp b/src/numerics/BandMatrix.cpp
index 6f3f855c6..610393696 100644
--- a/src/numerics/BandMatrix.cpp
+++ b/src/numerics/BandMatrix.cpp
@@ -328,11 +328,6 @@ ostream& operator<<(ostream& s, const BandMatrix& m)
     return s;
 }
 
-void BandMatrix::err(const std::string& msg) const
-{
-    throw CanteraError("BandMatrix() unimplemented function", msg);
-}
-
 doublereal  BandMatrix::rcond(doublereal a1norm)
 {
     int printLevel = 0;