diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/task-exit.c b/tools/perf/tests/task-exit.c
index 28fe589..b07f8a1 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/task-exit.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/task-exit.c
@@ -37,20 +37,11 @@
 	signal(SIGCHLD, sig_handler);
 	signal(SIGUSR1, sig_handler);
 
-	evlist = perf_evlist__new();
+	evlist = perf_evlist__new_default();
 	if (evlist == NULL) {
-		pr_debug("perf_evlist__new\n");
+		pr_debug("perf_evlist__new_default\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
-	/*
-	 * We need at least one evsel in the evlist, use the default
-	 * one: "cycles".
-	 */
-	err = perf_evlist__add_default(evlist);
-	if (err < 0) {
-		pr_debug("Not enough memory to create evsel\n");
-		goto out_free_evlist;
-	}
 
 	/*
 	 * Create maps of threads and cpus to monitor. In this case
@@ -117,7 +108,6 @@
 	perf_evlist__close(evlist);
 out_delete_maps:
 	perf_evlist__delete_maps(evlist);
-out_free_evlist:
 	perf_evlist__delete(evlist);
 	return err;
 }