diff --git a/lib/cli/run-helpers.js b/lib/cli/run-helpers.js
index 89832083ed..732161b146 100644
--- a/lib/cli/run-helpers.js
+++ b/lib/cli/run-helpers.js
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ exports.runMocha = (
   files = []
 ) => {
   if (watch) {
-    exports.watchRun(mocha, {extension, grep, ui});
+    exports.watchRun(mocha, {extension, grep, ui, files});
   } else {
     exports.singleRun(mocha, {files, exit});
   }