diff --git a/format.h b/format.h
index 8c828885..91f16e7f 100644
--- a/format.h
+++ b/format.h
@@ -2028,11 +2028,6 @@ class BasicWriter {
    */
   std::size_t size() const { return buffer_.size(); }
 
-  /**
-    Returns underlying buffer.
-   */
-  Buffer<Char>& buffer() const { return buffer_; }
-
   /**
     Returns a pointer to the output buffer content. No terminating null
     character is appended.