diff --git a/util/options.hh b/util/options.hh
index 2b77d7b71..a6eea5304 100644
--- a/util/options.hh
+++ b/util/options.hh
@@ -64,12 +64,9 @@ extern struct shape_options_t
   }
 
   void setup_buffer (hb_buffer_t *buffer) {
-    if (direction)
-      hb_buffer_set_direction (buffer, hb_direction_from_string (direction, -1));
-    if (script)
-      hb_buffer_set_script (buffer, hb_script_from_string (script, -1));
-    if (language)
-      hb_buffer_set_language (buffer, hb_language_from_string (language, -1));
+    hb_buffer_set_direction (buffer, hb_direction_from_string (direction, -1));
+    hb_buffer_set_script (buffer, hb_script_from_string (script, -1));
+    hb_buffer_set_language (buffer, hb_language_from_string (language, -1));
   }
 
   bool shape (hb_font_t *font, hb_buffer_t *buffer) {