diff --git a/src/chat.rs b/src/chat.rs
index 75a236525..eba16047a 100644
--- a/src/chat.rs
+++ b/src/chat.rs
@@ -2529,18 +2529,6 @@ pub fn delete_device_expired_messages(context: &Context) -> sql::Result<()> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-/// Removes from the database locally deleted messages that also don't
-/// have a server UID.
-pub fn prune_tombstones(context: &Context) -> sql::Result<()> {
-    context.sql.execute(
-        "DELETE FROM msgs \
-         WHERE (chat_id = ? OR hidden) \
-         AND server_uid = 0",
-        params![DC_CHAT_ID_TRASH],
-    )?;
-    Ok(())
-}
-
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
diff --git a/src/sql.rs b/src/sql.rs
index 8e15d1fdd..51ee65262 100644
--- a/src/sql.rs
+++ b/src/sql.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use rusqlite::{Connection, OpenFlags, Statement, NO_PARAMS};
 use thread_local_object::ThreadLocal;
 
 use crate::chat::{update_device_icon, update_saved_messages_icon};
-use crate::constants::ShowEmails;
+use crate::constants::{ShowEmails, DC_CHAT_ID_TRASH};
 use crate::context::Context;
 use crate::dc_tools::*;
 use crate::param::*;
@@ -1053,6 +1053,18 @@ pub fn get_rowid2_with_conn(
     }
 }
 
+/// Removes from the database locally deleted messages that also don't
+/// have a server UID.
+fn prune_tombstones(context: &Context) -> Result<()> {
+    context.sql.execute(
+        "DELETE FROM msgs \
+         WHERE (chat_id = ? OR hidden) \
+         AND server_uid = 0",
+        params![DC_CHAT_ID_TRASH],
+    )?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 pub fn housekeeping(context: &Context) {
     let mut files_in_use = HashSet::new();
     let mut unreferenced_count = 0;
@@ -1165,6 +1177,13 @@ pub fn housekeeping(context: &Context) {
         }
     }
 
+    if let Err(err) = prune_tombstones(context) {
+        warn!(
+            context,
+            "Houskeeping: Cannot prune message tombstones: {}", err
+        );
+    }
+
     info!(context, "Housekeeping done.",);
 }