diff --git a/src/lib/battery/battery.cpp b/src/lib/battery/battery.cpp
index dba0bf38d1..10910dd1b5 100644
--- a/src/lib/battery/battery.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/battery/battery.cpp
@@ -167,16 +167,11 @@ void Battery::updateBatteryStatus(const hrt_abstime &timestamp, float voltage_v,
 	}
 
 	if (source == _params.source) {
-		publish();
+		_battery_status.timestamp = hrt_absolute_time();
+		_battery_status_pub.publish(_battery_status);
 	}
 }
 
-void Battery::publish()
-{
-	_battery_status.timestamp = hrt_absolute_time();
-	_battery_status_pub.publish(_battery_status);
-}
-
 void Battery::sumDischarged(const hrt_abstime &timestamp, float current_a)
 {
 	// Not a valid measurement
diff --git a/src/lib/battery/battery.h b/src/lib/battery/battery.h
index 4e7c2a47fc..08a6fc6d52 100644
--- a/src/lib/battery/battery.h
+++ b/src/lib/battery/battery.h
@@ -155,11 +155,6 @@ protected:
 	bool _first_parameter_update{true};
 	void updateParams() override;
 
-	/**
-	 * Publishes the uORB battery_status message with the most recently-updated data.
-	 */
-	void publish();
-
 	/**
 	 * This function helps migrating and syncing from/to deprecated parameters. BAT_* BAT1_*
 	 * @tparam T Type of the parameter (int or float)