It seems that the following line is [not necessary anymore with TypeScript 1.7](https://github.com/Microsoft/TypeScript/wiki/What%27s-new-in-TypeScript#support-for---target-es6-with---module): https://github.com/TypeStrong/ts-loader/blob/ff15e76933e0f403e97f271f91577499add90f27/index.ts#L282 Removing it would allow us to target ES6 while still emitting CommonJS modules.