diff --git a/spec/atom-spec.coffee b/spec/atom-spec.coffee
index 8603f008b..1fca9cf28 100644
--- a/spec/atom-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/atom-spec.coffee
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ describe "the `atom` global", ->
       it "opens an empty buffer", ->
         spyOn(atom.workspace, 'open')
         atom.openInitialEmptyEditorIfNecessary()
-        expect(atom.workspace.open).toHaveBeenCalledWith(null, {isInitialEmptyEditor: true})
+        expect(atom.workspace.open).toHaveBeenCalledWith(null)
 
       describe "when there is already a buffer open", ->
         beforeEach ->
diff --git a/src/atom.coffee b/src/atom.coffee
index 7f2626fa9..b59f9252a 100644
--- a/src/atom.coffee
+++ b/src/atom.coffee
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ class Atom extends Model
 
   openInitialEmptyEditorIfNecessary: ->
     if @getLoadSettings().initialPaths?.length is 0 and @workspace.getPaneItems().length is 0
-      @workspace.open(null, {isInitialEmptyEditor: true})
+      @workspace.open(null)
 
   ###
   Section: Messaging the User