A novel pH-switchable wormlike micellar system was prepared by mixing N-erucamidopropyl-N,N-dimethylamine and maleic acid with molar ratio of 2 : 1. The viscosity of the micellar solution is switchable via tuning the pH through the addition of minor acid or base. Such a system possesses the characteristics of a facile, rapid, cost-effective reversible process and recyclable cheaper materials.