diff --git a/lib/rexml/document.rb b/lib/rexml/document.rb
index 2b6ee24087..81e63c60f1 100644
--- a/lib/rexml/document.rb
+++ b/lib/rexml/document.rb
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ module REXML
         output = Output.new( output, xml_decl.encoding )
       end
       formatter = if indent > -1
-          if transitive
+          if trans
             REXML::Formatters::Transitive.new( indent, ie_hack )
           else
             REXML::Formatters::Pretty.new( indent, ie_hack )