diff --git a/packages/stream/stream_client.js b/packages/stream/stream_client.js
index a7e8401bd1..43aa9b57d7 100644
--- a/packages/stream/stream_client.js
+++ b/packages/stream/stream_client.js
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ _.extend(Meteor._Stream.prototype, {
     var self = this;
 
     if (self.current_status.connected) {
-      if (options && options.force) {
+      if (options && options._force) {
         // force reconnect.
         self._disconnected();
       } // else, noop.
diff --git a/packages/stream/stream_tests.js b/packages/stream/stream_tests.js
index dda5e39ff2..5a1d439557 100644
--- a/packages/stream/stream_tests.js
+++ b/packages/stream/stream_tests.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ testAsyncMulti("stream - reconnect", [
       status = Meteor.status();
       test.equal(status.status, "connected");
 
-      Meteor.reconnect({force: true});
+      Meteor.reconnect({_force: true});
       status = Meteor.status();
       test.equal(status.status, "waiting");
     }));