diff --git a/lib/util/lifecycle.js b/lib/util/lifecycle.js
index fc41f506..23887dab 100644
--- a/lib/util/lifecycle.js
+++ b/lib/util/lifecycle.js
@@ -11,19 +11,21 @@ function Lifecycle() {
 }
 
 Lifecycle.prototype.share = function(name, emitter, options) {
-  _.defaults(options, {
-    end: true
-  , error: true
-  })
+  var opts = _.assign({
+      end: true
+    , error: true
+    }
+  , options
+  )
 
-  if (options.end) {
+  if (opts.end) {
     emitter.on('end', function() {
       log.fatal('%s ended; we shall share its fate', name)
       this.fatal()
     }.bind(this))
   }
 
-  if (options.error) {
+  if (opts.error) {
     emitter.on('error', function(err) {
       log.fatal('%s had an error', name, err.stack)
       this.fatal()