diff --git a/pisi/dbshelve.py b/pisi/dbshelve.py
index d3eb0f70..78668ef0 100644
--- a/pisi/dbshelve.py
+++ b/pisi/dbshelve.py
@@ -61,10 +61,6 @@ class DBShelf:
     #def __del__(self):
     #    self.close()
 
-    allowed_chars = string.letters + string.digits + '-'
-    def check_key(key):
-        return pisi.util.all(lambda x: x in allowed_chars, key)
-
     def has_key(self, key, txn = None):
         if txn:
             return self.db.has_key(key, txn)