diff --git a/lib/net.js b/lib/net.js
index ac036534d6b402..e91542fb2467a9 100644
--- a/lib/net.js
+++ b/lib/net.js
@@ -710,13 +710,7 @@ Socket.prototype._writeGeneric = function(writev, data, encoding, cb) {
     // Retain chunks
     if (err === 0) req._chunks = chunks;
   } else {
-    var enc;
-    if (data instanceof Buffer) {
-      enc = 'buffer';
-    } else {
-      enc = encoding;
-    }
-    err = createWriteReq(req, this._handle, data, enc);
+    err = createWriteReq(req, this._handle, data, encoding);
   }
 
   if (err)