diff --git a/packages/flutter/lib/src/widgets/framework.dart b/packages/flutter/lib/src/widgets/framework.dart
index 38be932cb4..e1b0c7bf2a 100644
--- a/packages/flutter/lib/src/widgets/framework.dart
+++ b/packages/flutter/lib/src/widgets/framework.dart
@@ -1751,7 +1751,7 @@ class _InactiveElements {
     }
   }
 
-  void _deactivateRecursively(Element element) {
+  static void _deactivateRecursively(Element element) {
     assert(element._debugLifecycleState == _ElementLifecycle.active);
     element.deactivate();
     assert(element._debugLifecycleState == _ElementLifecycle.inactive);