diff --git a/pouchDB/pouch-tests.ts b/pouchDB/pouch-tests.ts
index 46411b5ba..8cca2ed71 100644
--- a/pouchDB/pouch-tests.ts
+++ b/pouchDB/pouch-tests.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 declare var $: any;
 
-function alert(thing: any) {
+window.alert = function(thing?: string) {
 	$('body').append('<div>' + thing + '</div>');
 }