diff --git a/src/standard/gestures.html b/src/standard/gestures.html
index 5681e907b0..2e41c258f0 100644
--- a/src/standard/gestures.html
+++ b/src/standard/gestures.html
@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@
     }
   })();
 
+  /* eslint no-empty: ["error", { "allowEmptyCatch": true }] */
   // check for passive event listeners
-  var SUPPORTS_PASSIVE = (function() {
-    var sp = false;
+  var SUPPORTS_PASSIVE = false;
+  (function() {
     try {
-      var opts = Object.defineProperty({}, 'passive', {get: function() {sp = true;}})
+      var opts = Object.defineProperty({}, 'passive', {get: function() {SUPPORTS_PASSIVE = true;}})
       window.addEventListener('test', null, opts);
       window.removeEventListener('test', null, opts);
-      return sp;
     } catch(e) {}
   })();