diff --git a/lib/transports/polling-xhr.js b/lib/transports/polling-xhr.js
index de68fd8b..7a8a34bf 100644
--- a/lib/transports/polling-xhr.js
+++ b/lib/transports/polling-xhr.js
@@ -141,8 +141,10 @@ util.inherits(Request, EventEmitter);
  */
 
 Request.prototype.create = function () {
-  var xhr = this.xhr = util.request(this.xd);
-  this.xhr.open(this.method, this.uri, this.async);
+  var xhr = this.xhr = util.request(this.xd)
+    , self = this
+
+  xhr.open(this.method, this.uri, this.async);
 
   if ('POST' == this.method) {
     try {
@@ -156,9 +158,9 @@ Request.prototype.create = function () {
     } catch (e) {}
   }
 
-  if (this.xd && global.XDomainRequest && this.xhr instanceof XDomainRequest) {
-    this.xhr.onerror = function () {
-      self.onError();
+  if (this.xd && global.XDomainRequest && xhr instanceof XDomainRequest) {
+    xhr.onerror = function (e) {
+      self.onError(e);
     };
     this.xhr.onload = function () {
       self.onData(xhr.responseText);