diff --git a/xwork-core/src/main/java/com/opensymphony/xwork2/util/URLUtil.java b/xwork-core/src/main/java/com/opensymphony/xwork2/util/URLUtil.java
index b9aaee7cf..160a5b99b 100644
--- a/xwork-core/src/main/java/com/opensymphony/xwork2/util/URLUtil.java
+++ b/xwork-core/src/main/java/com/opensymphony/xwork2/util/URLUtil.java
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ public class URLUtil {
      * @param url The url string to verify.
      * @return a boolean indicating whether the URL seems to be incorrect.
      */
+    @Deprecated
     public static boolean verifyUrl(String url) {
         if (LOG.isDebugEnabled()) {
             LOG.debug("Checking if url [#0] is valid", url);