diff --git a/src/rt/sync/rust_thread.cpp b/src/rt/sync/rust_thread.cpp
index a78153523d2..7223d187137 100644
--- a/src/rt/sync/rust_thread.cpp
+++ b/src/rt/sync/rust_thread.cpp
@@ -63,12 +63,3 @@ rust_thread::join() {
 #endif
    thread = 0;
 }
-
-void
-rust_thread::detach() {
-#if !defined(__WIN32__)
-    // Don't leak pthread resources.
-    // http://crosstantine.blogspot.com/2010/01/pthreadcreate-memory-leak.html
-    CHECKED(pthread_detach(thread));
-#endif
-}
diff --git a/src/rt/sync/rust_thread.h b/src/rt/sync/rust_thread.h
index cad87e514b5..257eefceb43 100644
--- a/src/rt/sync/rust_thread.h
+++ b/src/rt/sync/rust_thread.h
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ class rust_thread {
     virtual void run() = 0;
 
     void join();
-    void detach();
 };
 
 #endif /* RUST_THREAD_H */