diff --git a/lib/net.js b/lib/net.js
index 0577dd3c9fe0c7..7680c8860e1521 100644
--- a/lib/net.js
+++ b/lib/net.js
@@ -255,6 +255,8 @@ function Socket(options) {
   options.allowHalfOpen = true;
   // For backwards compat do not emit close on destroy.
   options.emitClose = false;
+  // Handle strings directly.
+  options.decodeStrings = false;
   stream.Duplex.call(this, options);
 
   // Default to *not* allowing half open sockets.
@@ -308,9 +310,6 @@ function Socket(options) {
   this._pendingData = null;
   this._pendingEncoding = '';
 
-  // handle strings directly
-  this._writableState.decodeStrings = false;
-
   // If we have a handle, then start the flow of data into the
   // buffer.  if not, then this will happen when we connect
   if (this._handle && options.readable !== false) {