diff --git a/lib/readline-sync.js b/lib/readline-sync.js
index 35fcb3a..722426f 100644
--- a/lib/readline-sync.js
+++ b/lib/readline-sync.js
@@ -361,7 +361,11 @@ function _readlineSync(options) {
       input = tryExt();
       return;
     }
-    buffer = new Buffer((reqSize = options.keyIn ? 1 : options.bufferSize));
+    if (Buffer.alloc) {
+      buffer = Buffer.alloc((reqSize = options.keyIn ? 1 : options.bufferSize));
+    } else {
+      buffer = new Buffer((reqSize = options.keyIn ? 1 : options.bufferSize));
+    }
 
     if (options.keyIn && options.limit) {
       limit = new RegExp('[^' + options.limit + ']',