diff --git a/autotests/mock_effectshandler.h b/autotests/mock_effectshandler.h
index 5f9467f70f..38558928bd 100644
--- a/autotests/mock_effectshandler.h
+++ b/autotests/mock_effectshandler.h
@@ -175,7 +175,6 @@ public:
     void registerAxisShortcut(Qt::KeyboardModifiers, KWin::PointerAxisDirection, QAction *) override {}
     void registerGlobalShortcut(const QKeySequence &, QAction *) override {}
     void registerPointerShortcut(Qt::KeyboardModifiers, Qt::MouseButton, QAction *) override {}
-    void registerPropertyType(long int, bool) override {}
     void reloadEffect(KWin::Effect *) override {}
     void removeSupportProperty(const QByteArray &, KWin::Effect *) override {}
     void reserveElectricBorder(KWin::ElectricBorder, KWin::Effect *) override {}
diff --git a/effects.h b/effects.h
index 9559fdddab..564a6b2ff0 100644
--- a/effects.h
+++ b/effects.h
@@ -174,7 +174,6 @@ public:
     unsigned long xrenderBufferPicture() override;
     QPainter* scenePainter() override;
     void reconfigure() override;
-    void registerPropertyType(long atom, bool reg) override;
     QByteArray readRootProperty(long atom, long type, int format) const override;
     xcb_atom_t announceSupportProperty(const QByteArray& propertyName, Effect* effect) override;
     void removeSupportProperty(const QByteArray& propertyName, Effect* effect) override;
@@ -287,6 +286,7 @@ protected:
     int next_window_quad_type;
 
 private:
+    void registerPropertyType(long atom, bool reg);
     typedef QVector< Effect*> EffectsList;
     typedef EffectsList::const_iterator EffectsIterator;
     EffectsList m_activeEffects;
diff --git a/libkwineffects/kwineffects.h b/libkwineffects/kwineffects.h
index 44b49d230e..d92984d162 100644
--- a/libkwineffects/kwineffects.h
+++ b/libkwineffects/kwineffects.h
@@ -1056,13 +1056,6 @@ public:
     virtual QPainter *scenePainter() = 0;
     virtual void reconfigure() = 0;
 
-    /**
-     Makes KWin core watch PropertyNotify events for the given atom,
-     or stops watching if reg is false (must be called the same number
-     of times as registering). Events are sent using Effect::propertyNotify().
-     Note that even events that haven't been registered for can be received.
-    */
-    virtual void registerPropertyType(long atom, bool reg) = 0;
     virtual QByteArray readRootProperty(long atom, long type, int format) const = 0;
     /**
      * @brief Announces support for the feature with the given name. If no other Effect