diff --git a/cpu/cc2538/dev/watchdog.c b/cpu/cc2538/dev/watchdog.c
index e67015943..9f306e586 100644
--- a/cpu/cc2538/dev/watchdog.c
+++ b/cpu/cc2538/dev/watchdog.c
@@ -88,15 +88,6 @@ watchdog_periodic(void)
   REG(SMWDTHROSC_WDCTL) = (SMWDTHROSC_WDCTL_CLR_2 | SMWDTHROSC_WDCTL_CLR_0);
 }
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
-/** \brief In watchdog mode, the WDT can not be stopped. This function is
- * defined here to satisfy API requirements.
- */
-void
-watchdog_stop(void)
-{
-  return;
-}
-/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 /** \brief Keeps control until the WDT throws a reset signal. Starts the WDT
  * if not already started. */
 void
diff --git a/cpu/cc253x/8051def.h b/cpu/cc253x/8051def.h
index 03dfc810e..eb794e754 100644
--- a/cpu/cc253x/8051def.h
+++ b/cpu/cc253x/8051def.h
@@ -14,11 +14,6 @@
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 
-/* In watchdog mode, our WDT can't be stopped once started
- * Include watchdog_stop()'s declaration and then trash it */
-#include "dev/watchdog.h"
-#define watchdog_stop() watchdog_periodic()
-
 /* This port no longer implements the legacy clock_delay. Hack its usages
  * outta the way till it gets phased out completely
  * NB: This also overwrites the prototype so delay_usec() is declared twice */