diff --git a/lib/sys.js b/lib/sys.js
index 37d2fcaebbe4d2..57fe1bcfb55dba 100644
--- a/lib/sys.js
+++ b/lib/sys.js
@@ -1,5 +1,13 @@
 'use strict';
 
+var util = require('util');
+
 // the sys module was renamed to 'util'.
 // this shim remains to keep old programs working.
-module.exports = require('util');
+// sys is deprecated and shouldn't be used
+
+var setExports = util.deprecate(function() {
+  module.exports = util;
+}, 'sys is deprecated. Use util instead.');
+
+setExports();