diff --git a/lib/assert.js b/lib/assert.js
index 11fef455ab..52b89baef6 100644
--- a/lib/assert.js
+++ b/lib/assert.js
@@ -199,10 +199,11 @@ function objEquiv(a, b) {
   if (a.prototype !== b.prototype) return false;
   //~~~I've managed to break Object.keys through screwy arguments passing.
   //   Converting to array solves the problem.
-  if (isArguments(a)) {
-    if (!isArguments(b)) {
-      return false;
-    }
+  var aIsArgs = isArguments(a),
+      bIsArgs = isArguments(b);
+  if ((aIsArgs && !bIsArgs) || (!aIsArgs && bIsArgs))
+    return false;
+  if (aIsArgs) {
     a = pSlice.call(a);
     b = pSlice.call(b);
     return _deepEqual(a, b);
diff --git a/test/simple/test-assert.js b/test/simple/test-assert.js
index 2885858cf4..6b8350095d 100644
--- a/test/simple/test-assert.js
+++ b/test/simple/test-assert.js
@@ -249,6 +249,11 @@ try {
   gotError = true;
 }
 
+// GH-7178. Ensure reflexivity of deepEqual with `arguments` objects.
+var args = (function() { return arguments; })();
+a.throws(makeBlock(a.deepEqual, [], args));
+a.throws(makeBlock(a.deepEqual, args, []));
+
 console.log('All OK');
 assert.ok(gotError);