diff --git a/artiq/language/context.py b/artiq/language/context.py
index 6bde60699..6674e3f2d 100644
--- a/artiq/language/context.py
+++ b/artiq/language/context.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class Argument(_AttributeKind):
         at instance creation.
 
     """
-    def __init__(self, default=NoDefault, write_db=False):
+    def __init__(self, default=NoDefault):
         self.default = default