diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/engine/engine_state.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/engine/engine_state.rs
index e3ccd63fa2..d21393c9b1 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/engine/engine_state.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/engine/engine_state.rs
@@ -502,7 +502,7 @@ impl EngineState {
     }
 
     #[cfg(feature = "plugin")]
-    pub fn update_plugin_file(
+    fn update_plugin_file(
         &self,
         updated_items: Vec<PluginRegistryItem>,
     ) -> Result<(), ShellError> {