diff --git a/lib/util.js b/lib/util.js
index 37008b2d176062..85af547ebb81f7 100644
--- a/lib/util.js
+++ b/lib/util.js
@@ -173,8 +173,12 @@ function inspect(obj, opts) {
     stylize: stylizeNoColor
   };
   // legacy...
-  if (arguments[2] !== undefined) ctx.depth = arguments[2];
-  if (arguments[3] !== undefined) ctx.colors = arguments[3];
+  if (arguments.length >= 3 && arguments[2] !== undefined) {
+    ctx.depth = arguments[2];
+  }
+  if (arguments.length >= 4 && arguments[3] !== undefined) {
+    ctx.colors = arguments[3];
+  }
   if (typeof opts === 'boolean') {
     // legacy...
     ctx.showHidden = opts;