diff --git a/lib/appenders/redis.js b/lib/appenders/redis.js
index be5b382..b633f51 100644
--- a/lib/appenders/redis.js
+++ b/lib/appenders/redis.js
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ const util = require('util');
 
 let layout;
 
-function redisAppender(config, layout = layouts.messagePassThroughLayout) {
+function redisAppender(config, layout) {
+  layout = layout || layouts.messagePassThroughLayout;
   const redisClient = redis.createClient(config.port, config.host, { auth_pass: config.pass });
   redisClient.on('error', (err) => {
     if (err) {