diff --git a/server/src/services/system-config.service.spec.ts b/server/src/services/system-config.service.spec.ts
index 4bb5dd0a1b..da37fe0391 100644
--- a/server/src/services/system-config.service.spec.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/system-config.service.spec.ts
@@ -346,19 +346,6 @@ describe(SystemConfigService.name, () => {
     });
   });
 
-  describe('refreshConfig', () => {
-    it('should notify the subscribers', async () => {
-      const changeMock = jest.fn();
-      const subscription = sut.config$.subscribe(changeMock);
-
-      await sut.refreshConfig();
-
-      expect(changeMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(defaults);
-
-      subscription.unsubscribe();
-    });
-  });
-
   describe('getCustomCss', () => {
     it('should return the default theme', async () => {
       await expect(sut.getCustomCss()).resolves.toEqual(defaults.theme.customCss);
diff --git a/server/src/services/system-config.service.ts b/server/src/services/system-config.service.ts
index bc57c83ac6..6654498682 100644
--- a/server/src/services/system-config.service.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/system-config.service.ts
@@ -90,13 +90,6 @@ export class SystemConfigService {
     return mapConfig(newConfig);
   }
 
-  // this is only used by the cli on config change, and it's not actually needed anymore
-  async refreshConfig() {
-    this.eventRepository.serverSend(ServerEvent.CONFIG_UPDATE, null);
-    await this.core.refreshConfig();
-    return true;
-  }
-
   getStorageTemplateOptions(): SystemConfigTemplateStorageOptionDto {
     const options = new SystemConfigTemplateStorageOptionDto();