diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index eb8be512..388b0dcc 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ module.exports = Emitter;
  */
 
 function Emitter(obj) {
-  if (!(this instanceof Emitter)) return mixin(obj);
+  if (obj) return mixin(obj);
   this._callbacks = {};
 };
 
diff --git a/test/emitter.js b/test/emitter.js
index 6f53f5ca..4dcc68d7 100644
--- a/test/emitter.js
+++ b/test/emitter.js
@@ -1,6 +1,22 @@
 
 var Emitter = require('..');
 
+function Custom() {
+  Emitter.call(this)
+}
+
+Custom.prototype.__proto__ = Emitter.prototype;
+
+describe('Custom', function(){
+  describe('with Emitter.call(this)', function(){
+    it('should work', function(done){
+      var emitter = new Custom;
+      emitter.on('foo', done);
+      emitter.emit('foo');
+    })
+  })
+})
+
 describe('Emitter', function(){
   describe('.on(event, fn)', function(){
     it('should add listeners', function(){