diff --git a/lib/sys.js b/lib/sys.js
index 6dc415c31f86c1..202ee73ade2c9f 100644
--- a/lib/sys.js
+++ b/lib/sys.js
@@ -21,6 +21,14 @@
 
 '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();