diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/static.py b/r2/r2/lib/static.py
index 3a34a6269..d00be7689 100755
--- a/r2/r2/lib/static.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/static.py
@@ -6,13 +6,17 @@ import json
 import base64
 import shutil
 
-def generate_static_name(name, base=None, shorthash=None):
+def generate_static_name(name, base=None):
     """Generate a unique filename.
     
     Unique filenames are generated by base 64 encoding the first 64 bits of
     the SHA1 hash. This hash string is added to the filename before the extension.
     """
-    if base: path = os.path.join(base, name)
+    if base:
+        path = os.path.join(base, name)
+    else:
+        path = name
+
     sha = hashlib.sha1(open(path).read()).digest()
     shorthash = base64.urlsafe_b64encode(sha[0:8]).rstrip("=")
     name, ext = os.path.splitext(name)