diff --git a/mps/code/mpm.c b/mps/code/mpm.c
index 882a46b7092..a31ab2b5388 100644
--- a/mps/code/mpm.c
+++ b/mps/code/mpm.c
@@ -619,16 +619,19 @@ Res WriteF_firstformat_v(mps_lib_FILE *stream, Count depth,
 
 size_t StringLength(const char *s)
 {
-  size_t i;
+  size_t i = 0;
 
   AVER(s != NULL);
 
-  for(i = 0; s[i] != '\0'; i++)
-    NOOP;
-  return(i);
+  while (s[i] != '\0')
+    ++i;
+  
+  return i;
 }
 
 
+#if 0 /* This code is currently not in use in the MPS */
+
 /* StringEqual -- slow substitute for (strcmp == 0) */
 
 Bool StringEqual(const char *s1, const char *s2)
@@ -649,6 +652,8 @@ Bool StringEqual(const char *s1, const char *s2)
   return TRUE;
 }
 
+#endif /* not currently in use */
+
 
 
 /* C. COPYRIGHT AND LICENSE