diff --git a/include/dsn/dist/replication/replication_app_base.h b/include/dsn/dist/replication/replication_app_base.h
index 11c7e69c02..e6ef108fd6 100644
--- a/include/dsn/dist/replication/replication_app_base.h
+++ b/include/dsn/dist/replication/replication_app_base.h
@@ -113,11 +113,6 @@ class replication_app_base : public replica_base
     //
     error_code open();
 
-    //
-    // Cancel all background flush and compaction work.
-    //
-    virtual void cancel_background_work(bool wait) {}
-
     //
     // Close the app.
     // If `clear_state' is true, means clear the app state after close it.
diff --git a/src/replica/replica.cpp b/src/replica/replica.cpp
index 03a738f89b..b271f354eb 100644
--- a/src/replica/replica.cpp
+++ b/src/replica/replica.cpp
@@ -434,10 +434,6 @@ void replica::close()
         _checkpoint_timer = nullptr;
     }
 
-    if (_app != nullptr) {
-        _app->cancel_background_work(true);
-    }
-
     _tracker.cancel_outstanding_tasks();
 
     cleanup_preparing_mutations(true);