diff --git a/service/storage_service.cc b/service/storage_service.cc
index 3e0d27c7a3..052a3821f7 100644
--- a/service/storage_service.cc
+++ b/service/storage_service.cc
@@ -1239,4 +1239,23 @@ bool storage_service::is_rpc_server_running() {
     return true;
 }
 
+future<> storage_service::start_native_transport() {
+#if 0
+    if (daemon == null)
+    {
+        throw new IllegalStateException("No configured daemon");
+    }
+
+    try
+    {
+        daemon.nativeServer.start();
+    }
+    catch (Exception e)
+    {
+        throw new RuntimeException("Error starting native transport: " + e.getMessage());
+    }
+#endif
+    return make_ready_future<>();
+}
+
 } // namespace service
diff --git a/service/storage_service.hh b/service/storage_service.hh
index 64ecda005d..560380cd59 100644
--- a/service/storage_service.hh
+++ b/service/storage_service.hh
@@ -207,24 +207,9 @@ public:
 
     bool is_rpc_server_running();
 
+    future<> start_native_transport();
+
 #if 0
-    public void startNativeTransport()
-    {
-        if (daemon == null)
-        {
-            throw new IllegalStateException("No configured daemon");
-        }
-
-        try
-        {
-            daemon.nativeServer.start();
-        }
-        catch (Exception e)
-        {
-            throw new RuntimeException("Error starting native transport: " + e.getMessage());
-        }
-    }
-
     public void stopNativeTransport()
     {
         if (daemon == null)