diff --git a/include/ttl/halfedge/hetriang.h b/include/ttl/halfedge/hetriang.h
index 59cfdaccb9..1642e92ce8 100644
--- a/include/ttl/halfedge/hetriang.h
+++ b/include/ttl/halfedge/hetriang.h
@@ -106,9 +106,6 @@ protected:
     /// Tag for quick connection resolution
     int m_tag;
 
-    /// Reference count
-    unsigned int m_refCount;
-
     /// List of board items that share this node
     std::list<const BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM*> m_parents;
 
@@ -127,7 +124,7 @@ public:
 #ifdef TTL_USE_NODE_ID
         m_id( id_count++ ),
 #endif
-        m_x( aX ), m_y( aY ), m_tag( -1 ), m_refCount( 0 )
+        m_x( aX ), m_y( aY ), m_tag( -1 )
     {
         m_layers.reset();
     }
@@ -181,19 +178,9 @@ public:
     }
 #endif
 
-    inline void IncRefCount()
-    {
-        m_refCount++;
-    }
-
-    inline void DecRefCount()
-    {
-        m_refCount--;
-    }
-
     inline unsigned int GetRefCount() const
     {
-        return m_refCount;
+        return m_parents.size();
     }
 
     inline void AddParent( const BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM* aParent )
diff --git a/pcbnew/ratsnest_data.cpp b/pcbnew/ratsnest_data.cpp
index 8de9fcbb15..e7ad2d8314 100644
--- a/pcbnew/ratsnest_data.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/ratsnest_data.cpp
@@ -255,7 +255,6 @@ const RN_NODE_PTR& RN_LINKS::AddNode( int aX, int aY )
     bool wasNewElement;
 
     boost::tie( node, wasNewElement ) = m_nodes.emplace( boost::make_shared<RN_NODE>( aX, aY ) );
-    (*node)->IncRefCount(); // TODO use the shared_ptr use_count
 
     return *node;
 }
@@ -263,8 +262,6 @@ const RN_NODE_PTR& RN_LINKS::AddNode( int aX, int aY )
 
 bool RN_LINKS::RemoveNode( const RN_NODE_PTR& aNode )
 {
-    aNode->DecRefCount(); // TODO use the shared_ptr use_count
-
     if( aNode->GetRefCount() == 0 )
     {
         m_nodes.erase( aNode );