diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index 5f02c392f..be233afdf 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 var readYaml = require('read-yaml');
 var shelljs = require('shelljs');
 var shelljs_global = require('shelljs/global');
-var web3 = require('web3');
+var Web3 = require('web3');
 var commander = require('commander');
 var wrench = require('wrench');
 var grunt = require('grunt');
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Embark = {
       this.web3 = _web3;
     }
     else {
-      this.web3 = web3;
+      this.web3 = new Web3();
     }
     this.chainManager     = (new ChainManager());
   },