diff --git a/lib/net.js b/lib/net.js
index d906211238..6080150724 100644
--- a/lib/net.js
+++ b/lib/net.js
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ Stream.prototype._writeOut = function (data, encoding) {
   this._writeWatcher.start();
 
   // Slice out the data left.
-  var leftOver = data.slice(off + bytesWritten, off + len);
+  var leftOver = buffer.slice(off + bytesWritten, off + len);
   leftOver.used = leftOver.length; // used the whole thing...
 
   //  sys.error('data.used = ' + data.used);