diff --git a/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py b/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py
index a37d01d..93c9e7e 100644
--- a/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py
+++ b/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py
@@ -46,15 +46,6 @@ class NftManager:
             logger.warning("nft cmd rc=%s stderr=%s cmd=%s", rc, err, text_cmd)
         return {"rc": rc, "stdout": out, "stderr": err}
 
-    def list_rules(self) -> str:
-        """
-        Return the textual ruleset as produced by 'nft list ruleset'.
-        Uses the textual command path.
-        """
-        res = self.cmd("list ruleset")
-        if res["rc"] != 0:
-            raise NftError(f"nft list ruleset failed: {res['stderr']}")
-        return res["stdout"]
 
     def list_rules_json(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """
@@ -707,7 +698,7 @@ def list_rules():
             nft_json = mgr.list_rules_json()
         except NftError as e:
             logger.debug("could not obtain nft JSON ruleset: %s", e)
-            text = mgr.list_rules()
+            text = mgr.list_rules_json()
             return RulesetOut(ruleset=text.strip() if text is not None else None)
 
         custom = build_predictable_ruleset(nft_json)