diff --git a/lib/net.js b/lib/net.js
index c233ffbfeb..92fbb5b9b2 100644
--- a/lib/net.js
+++ b/lib/net.js
@@ -1187,7 +1187,7 @@ Server.prototype._startWatcher = function () {
 };
 
 Server.prototype._doListen = function () {
-  listen(this.fd, 128);
+  listen(this.fd, this._backlog || 128);
   this._startWatcher();
 };