diff --git a/src/typings/xterm.d.ts b/src/typings/xterm.d.ts
index 9a3676152c9..08c24dcd70c 100644
--- a/src/typings/xterm.d.ts
+++ b/src/typings/xterm.d.ts
@@ -185,6 +185,12 @@ declare module 'xterm' {
 		 * @param end The row to end at (between start and this.rows - 1).
 		 */
 		refresh(start: number, end: number): void;
+
+		/**
+		 * Loads an addon, attaching it to the Terminal prototype.
+		 * @param addon The addon to load.
+		 */
+		static loadAddon(addon: string): void;
 	}
 
 	export = Terminal;
diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalInstance.ts b/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalInstance.ts
index 0f5c57802ff..057b2dc152d 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalInstance.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalInstance.ts
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ import pkg from 'vs/platform/node/package';
 const LAUNCHING_DURATION = 500;
 
 // Enable search functionality in xterm.js instance
-(<any>XTermTerminal).loadAddon('search');
+XTermTerminal.loadAddon('search');
 
 class StandardTerminalProcessFactory implements ITerminalProcessFactory {
 	public create(env: { [key: string]: string }): cp.ChildProcess {