diff --git a/dramatiq/generic.py b/dramatiq/generic.py
index a1314cfe..d6df9cb6 100644
--- a/dramatiq/generic.py
+++ b/dramatiq/generic.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ def __name__(self):
     def __call__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         return self.perform(*args, **kwargs)
 
-    def perform(self):
+    def perform(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """This is the method that gets called when the actor receives
         a message.  All non-abstract subclasses must implement this
         method.
diff --git a/tests/test_generic_actors.py b/tests/test_generic_actors.py
index e59d5651..ff416278 100644
--- a/tests/test_generic_actors.py
+++ b/tests/test_generic_actors.py
@@ -45,6 +45,30 @@ class Foo(dramatiq.GenericActor):
         Foo()
 
 
+def test_generic_actors_raise_not_implemented_if_perform_is_missing_and_called_with_args(stub_broker):
+    # Reggression test for #805
+    # Given that I've subclassed GenericActor without implementing perform
+    class Foo(dramatiq.GenericActor):
+        pass
+
+    # When I call that actor with some arguments
+    # Then a NotImplementedError should be raised
+    with pytest.raises(NotImplementedError, match=r"Foo does not implement perform\(\)"):
+        Foo(1, foo="bar")
+
+
+def test_generic_actors_raise_type_error_if_perform_is_called_with_wrong_args(stub_broker):
+    # Given that I've subclassed GenericActor without implementing perform
+    class Foo(dramatiq.GenericActor):
+        def perform(self, foo):
+            pass
+
+    # When I call that actor with the wrong arguments
+    # Then a TypeError should be raised
+    with pytest.raises(TypeError, match=r"\.Foo\.perform\(\) got an unexpected keyword argument 'bar'"):
+        Foo(bar=2)
+
+
 def test_generic_actors_can_be_abstract(stub_broker, stub_worker):
     # Given that I have a calls database
     calls = set()