diff --git a/src/backends/meta-backend-private.h b/src/backends/meta-backend-private.h
index 5b0c849ec..f93b5760a 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-backend-private.h
+++ b/src/backends/meta-backend-private.h
@@ -156,10 +156,6 @@ xkb_layout_index_t meta_backend_get_keymap_layout_group (MetaBackend *backend);
 
 gboolean meta_backend_is_lid_closed (MetaBackend *backend);
 
-void meta_backend_freeze_updates (MetaBackend *backend);
-
-void meta_backend_thaw_updates (MetaBackend *backend);
-
 void meta_backend_update_last_device (MetaBackend        *backend,
                                       ClutterInputDevice *device);
 
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-backend.c b/src/backends/meta-backend.c
index 0a795e3a6..39f275489 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-backend.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-backend.c
@@ -1268,24 +1268,6 @@ meta_backend_get_stage (MetaBackend *backend)
   return priv->stage;
 }
 
-void
-meta_backend_freeze_updates (MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  ClutterStage *stage;
-
-  stage = CLUTTER_STAGE (meta_backend_get_stage (backend));
-  clutter_stage_freeze_updates (stage);
-}
-
-void
-meta_backend_thaw_updates (MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  ClutterStage *stage;
-
-  stage = CLUTTER_STAGE (meta_backend_get_stage (backend));
-  clutter_stage_thaw_updates (stage);
-}
-
 static gboolean
 update_last_device (MetaBackend *backend)
 {