diff --git a/lib/fs.js b/lib/fs.js
index 29e1a3d2b1d..b907021b5cc 100644
--- a/lib/fs.js
+++ b/lib/fs.js
@@ -629,6 +629,10 @@ fs.watchFile = function(filename) {
     listener = arguments[1];
   }
 
+  if (!listener) {
+    throw new Error('watchFile requires a listener function');
+  }
+
   if (options.persistent === undefined) options.persistent = true;
   if (options.interval === undefined) options.interval = 0;