diff --git a/qutebrowser/utils/utils.py b/qutebrowser/utils/utils.py
index f3eab1eab..d0538f89a 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/utils/utils.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/utils/utils.py
@@ -871,3 +871,8 @@ def open_file(filename, cmdline=None):
                    .format(filename, [cmd] + args))
     proc = guiprocess.GUIProcess(what='open-file')
     proc.start_detached(cmd, args)
+
+
+def unused(_arg):
+    """Function which does nothing to avoid pylint complaining."""
+    pass
diff --git a/tests/unit/utils/test_utils.py b/tests/unit/utils/test_utils.py
index c790e7a31..457235eb8 100644
--- a/tests/unit/utils/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/unit/utils/test_utils.py
@@ -1029,3 +1029,7 @@ class TestOpenFile:
         assert re.match(
             r"Opening /foo/bar with the system application", result)
         m.assert_called_with(QUrl('file:///foo/bar'))
+
+
+def test_unused():
+    unused(None)