diff --git a/cache.h b/cache.h
index 3f9ee86147..30b9048dfe 100644
--- a/cache.h
+++ b/cache.h
@@ -473,9 +473,6 @@ extern int index_fd(unsigned char *sha1, int fd, struct stat *st, int write_obje
 extern int index_path(unsigned char *sha1, const char *path, struct stat *st, int write_object);
 extern void fill_stat_cache_info(struct cache_entry *ce, struct stat *st);
 
-/* "careful lstat()" */
-extern int check_path(const char *path, int len, struct stat *st, int skiplen);
-
 #define REFRESH_REALLY		0x0001	/* ignore_valid */
 #define REFRESH_UNMERGED	0x0002	/* allow unmerged */
 #define REFRESH_QUIET		0x0004	/* be quiet about it */
diff --git a/entry.c b/entry.c
index 06d24f14c6..55b988e22b 100644
--- a/entry.c
+++ b/entry.c
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ static int write_entry(struct cache_entry *ce, char *path, const struct checkout
  * This is like 'lstat()', except it refuses to follow symlinks
  * in the path, after skipping "skiplen".
  */
-int check_path(const char *path, int len, struct stat *st, int skiplen)
+static int check_path(const char *path, int len, struct stat *st, int skiplen)
 {
 	const char *slash = path + len;