diff --git a/build/ts/transform-ts.js b/build/ts/transform-ts.js
index aa37c52ea..2b7553174 100644
--- a/build/ts/transform-ts.js
+++ b/build/ts/transform-ts.js
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
+const fs = require('fs');
 const MJS_FILES = ['src/zen/split-view/ZenViewSplitter.ts'];
 
 for (const file of MJS_FILES) {
-  require('@babel/core').transformSync('code', {
+  const code = fs.readFileSync(file, 'utf8');
+  require('@babel/core').transformSync(code, {
     presets: ['@babel/preset-typescript'],
     filename: file,
   });