diff --git a/nova/cells/messaging.py b/nova/cells/messaging.py
index 87f691e34ea8..37ede57fb379 100644
--- a/nova/cells/messaging.py
+++ b/nova/cells/messaging.py
@@ -750,7 +750,7 @@ class _TargetedMessageMethods(_BaseMessageMethods):
 
     def service_delete(self, message, service_id):
         """Deletes the specified service."""
-        self.host_api.service_delete(message.ctxt, service_id)
+        self.host_api._service_delete(message.ctxt, service_id)
 
     def proxy_rpc_to_manager(self, message, host_name, rpc_message,
                              topic, timeout):
diff --git a/nova/compute/api.py b/nova/compute/api.py
index ea13efc18fa2..e2369620b5f1 100644
--- a/nova/compute/api.py
+++ b/nova/compute/api.py
@@ -3372,9 +3372,13 @@ class HostAPI(base.Base):
         service.save()
         return service
 
+    def _service_delete(self, context, service_id):
+        """Performs the actual Service deletion operation."""
+        objects.Service.get_by_id(context, service_id).destroy()
+
     def service_delete(self, context, service_id):
         """Deletes the specified service."""
-        objects.Service.get_by_id(context, service_id).destroy()
+        self._service_delete(context, service_id)
 
     def instance_get_all_by_host(self, context, host_name):
         """Return all instances on the given host."""