diff --git a/src/utils.hh b/src/utils.hh
index e4d1bd08..e999f405 100644
--- a/src/utils.hh
+++ b/src/utils.hh
@@ -157,12 +157,6 @@ bool operator== (const std::unique_ptr<T>& lhs, T* rhs)
     return lhs.get() == rhs;
 }
 
-inline String escape(const String& name)
-{
-    static Regex ex{"([ \\t;])"};
-    return boost::regex_replace(name, ex, R"(\\\1)");
-}
-
 template<typename T>
 const T& clamp(const T& val, const T& min, const T& max)
 {