diff --git a/src/calibre/translations/__init__.py b/src/calibre/translations/__init__.py
index 4ec8c82d35..7433892449 100644
--- a/src/calibre/translations/__init__.py
+++ b/src/calibre/translations/__init__.py
@@ -26,11 +26,6 @@ def source_files():
     return ans
                 
 
-def update_po_files(tarball):
-    if not os.getcwd().endswith('translations'):
-        os.chdir('translations')
-    
-
 def create_pot():
     files = source_files()
     buf = cStringIO.StringIO()