diff --git a/packages/svelte/src/compiler/phases/3-transform/client/visitors/CallExpression.js b/packages/svelte/src/compiler/phases/3-transform/client/visitors/CallExpression.js
index af3553861c..7b0f4d4bc1 100644
--- a/packages/svelte/src/compiler/phases/3-transform/client/visitors/CallExpression.js
+++ b/packages/svelte/src/compiler/phases/3-transform/client/visitors/CallExpression.js
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ export function CallExpression(node, context) {
 			);
 
 		case '$effect.pending':
-			return b.call(b.id('$.pending'));
+			return b.call('$.pending');
 
 		case '$inspect':
 		case '$inspect().with':