diff --git a/headers/modsecurity/audit_log.h b/headers/modsecurity/audit_log.h
index 924739dd..50276dd4 100644
--- a/headers/modsecurity/audit_log.h
+++ b/headers/modsecurity/audit_log.h
@@ -181,18 +181,6 @@ class AuditLog {
     std::string m_path2;
     std::string m_storage_dir;
 
-    void refCountIncrease() {
-        m_refereceCount++;
-    }
-
-    bool refCountDecreaseAndCheck() {
-        m_refereceCount--;
-        if (m_refereceCount == 0) {
-            delete this;
-            return true;
-        }
-        return false;
-    }
     AuditLogFormat m_format;
 
  protected:
@@ -213,7 +201,6 @@ class AuditLog {
     std::string m_relevant;
 
     audit_log::writer::Writer *m_writer;
-    int m_refereceCount;
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/audit_log/audit_log.cc b/src/audit_log/audit_log.cc
index fb7fe625..68e2f2cb 100644
--- a/src/audit_log/audit_log.cc
+++ b/src/audit_log/audit_log.cc
@@ -61,8 +61,7 @@ AuditLog::AuditLog()
     m_type(NotSetAuditLogType),
     m_format(NotSetAuditLogFormat),
     m_relevant(""),
-    m_writer(NULL),
-    m_refereceCount(1) { }
+    m_writer(NULL) { }
 
 
 AuditLog::~AuditLog() {