diff --git a/backbone.js b/backbone.js
index 3f7952b5..67c29040 100644
--- a/backbone.js
+++ b/backbone.js
@@ -17,9 +17,8 @@
 
   // Next for Node.js or CommonJS. jQuery may not be needed as a module.
   } else if (typeof exports !== 'undefined') {
-    var _ = require('underscore'), $;
-    try { $ = require('jquery'); } catch(e) {}
-    factory(root, exports, _, $);
+    var _ = require('underscore');
+    factory(root, exports, _);
 
   // Finally, as a browser global.
   } else {