diff --git a/lib/events.js b/lib/events.js
index fc933c5fd8..00c2071f28 100644
--- a/lib/events.js
+++ b/lib/events.js
@@ -48,8 +48,7 @@ EventEmitter.prototype.setMaxListeners = function(n) {
 // non-global reference, for speed.
 var PROCESS;
 
-EventEmitter.prototype.emit = function() {
-  var type = arguments[0];
+EventEmitter.prototype.emit = function(type) {
   // If there is no 'error' event listener then throw.
   if (type === 'error') {
     if (!this._events || !this._events.error ||