diff --git a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_gpio.c b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_gpio.c
index cfb04cd7a63..c881737cba8 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_gpio.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_gpio.c
@@ -218,10 +218,6 @@ int esp32_configgpio(int pin, gpio_pinattr_t attr)
     {
       func |= (uint32_t)(2 << MCU_SEL_S);
     }
-  else if ((attr & FUNCTION_MASK) == SPECIAL)
-    {
-      func |= (uint32_t)((((pin) == 1 || (pin) == 3) ? 0 : 1) << MCU_SEL_S);
-    }
   else /* if ((attr & FUNCTION) != 0) */
     {
       func |= (uint32_t)((attr >> FUNCTION_SHIFT) << MCU_SEL_S);
diff --git a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_gpio.h b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_gpio.h
index fa379496914..17c8efb7a31 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_gpio.h
+++ b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_gpio.h
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@
 #  define FUNCTION_3        (3 << FUNCTION_SHIFT)
 #  define FUNCTION_4        (4 << FUNCTION_SHIFT)
 #  define FUNCTION_5        (5 << FUNCTION_SHIFT)
-#  define SPECIAL           (7 << FUNCTION_SHIFT)
 
 #define INPUT_PULLUP        (INPUT | PULLUP)
 #define INPUT_PULLDOWN      (INPUT | PULLDOWN)