diff --git a/configure.py b/configure.py
index c0e72538971724..d0034c92add365 100755
--- a/configure.py
+++ b/configure.py
@@ -1454,8 +1454,6 @@ def icu_download(path):
     'variables': {}
   }
   icu_config_name = 'icu_config.gypi'
-  def write_config(data, name):
-    return
 
   # write an empty file to start with
   write(icu_config_name, do_not_edit +