diff --git a/lib/rake.rb b/lib/rake.rb
index 7fae508e2..ba04b6fd3 100755
--- a/lib/rake.rb
+++ b/lib/rake.rb
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ def source
     # +enhance+ to add actions and prerequisites.
     def initialize(task_name, app)
       @name = task_name.to_s
-      @prerequisites = FileList[]
+      @prerequisites = []
       @actions = []
       @already_invoked = false
       @full_comment = nil
diff --git a/test/test_tasks.rb b/test/test_tasks.rb
index 30be834f2..b30c9ddda 100644
--- a/test/test_tasks.rb
+++ b/test/test_tasks.rb
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ def test_create
     t = task(:name) { |task| arg = task; 1234 }
     assert_equal "name", t.name
     assert_equal [], t.prerequisites
-    assert t.prerequisites.is_a?(FileList)
     assert t.needed?
     t.execute(0)
     assert_equal t, arg