diff --git a/src/ast/ast.cpp b/src/ast/ast.cpp
index ffc78f7ef..a0ee29130 100644
--- a/src/ast/ast.cpp
+++ b/src/ast/ast.cpp
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ bool family_manager::has_family(symbol const & s) const {
     return m_families.contains(s);
 }
 
-#if 1
+#if 0
 static unsigned s_count = 0;
 void ast::inc_ref() {
     SASSERT(m_ref_count < UINT_MAX);
diff --git a/src/ast/ast.h b/src/ast/ast.h
index d06750b30..05b4c241e 100644
--- a/src/ast/ast.h
+++ b/src/ast/ast.h
@@ -482,7 +482,7 @@ protected:
     void *   m_mark2_owner;
 #endif
 
-#if 0
+#if 1
     void inc_ref() {
         SASSERT(m_ref_count < UINT_MAX);
         m_ref_count ++;