diff --git a/artiq/language/core.py b/artiq/language/core.py
index 47c1746f3..3c1c9bc2e 100644
--- a/artiq/language/core.py
+++ b/artiq/language/core.py
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ def syscall(arg=None, flags={}):
         def inner_decorator(function):
             function.artiq_embedded = \
                 _ARTIQEmbeddedInfo(core_name=None, portable=False, function=None,
-                                   syscall=function.__name__, forbidden=False,
+                                   syscall=arg, forbidden=False,
                                    flags=set(flags))
             return function
         return inner_decorator