diff --git a/include/mapnik/text_placements.hpp b/include/mapnik/text_placements.hpp
index 3d2570487..d7d7ae8fd 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/text_placements.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/text_placements.hpp
@@ -168,11 +168,6 @@ public:
      */
     virtual bool next()=0;
     virtual ~text_placement_info() {}
-    /** Initialize values used by placement finder. Only has to be done once
-     * per object.
-     */
-    void init(double scale_factor_,
-              unsigned w = 0, unsigned h = 0, bool has_dimensions_ = false);
 
     /** Properties actually used by placement finder and renderer. Values in
      * here are modified each time next() is called. */