diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index ee9165095..f48331206 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -1385,47 +1385,6 @@ bool static ProcessBlock(CNode* pfrom, CBlock* pblock)
 
 
 
-template<typename Stream>
-bool static ScanMessageStart(Stream& s)
-{
-    // Scan ahead to the next pchMessageStart, which should normally be immediately
-    // at the file pointer.  Leaves file pointer at end of pchMessageStart.
-    s.clear(0);
-    short prevmask = s.exceptions(0);
-    const char* p = BEGIN(pchMessageStart);
-    try
-    {
-        loop
-        {
-            char c;
-            s.read(&c, 1);
-            if (s.fail())
-            {
-                s.clear(0);
-                s.exceptions(prevmask);
-                return false;
-            }
-            if (*p != c)
-                p = BEGIN(pchMessageStart);
-            if (*p == c)
-            {
-                if (++p == END(pchMessageStart))
-                {
-                    s.clear(0);
-                    s.exceptions(prevmask);
-                    return true;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    catch (...)
-    {
-        s.clear(0);
-        s.exceptions(prevmask);
-        return false;
-    }
-}
-
 bool CheckDiskSpace(uint64 nAdditionalBytes)
 {
     uint64 nFreeBytesAvailable = filesystem::space(GetDataDir()).available;