diff --git a/drivers/serial/altera_uart.c b/drivers/serial/altera_uart.c
index 4c4794eee7..5d76c3359b 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/altera_uart.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/altera_uart.c
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ U_BOOT_DRIVER(altera_uart) = {
 
 #include <debug_uart.h>
 
-void debug_uart_init(void)
+static inline void _debug_uart_init(void)
 {
 	struct altera_uart_regs *regs = (void *)CONFIG_DEBUG_UART_BASE;
 	u32 div;