diff --git a/lib/youtube-dl.js b/lib/youtube-dl.js
index 293806f..b96101a 100644
--- a/lib/youtube-dl.js
+++ b/lib/youtube-dl.js
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ var ytdl = module.exports = function(videoUrl, args, options) {
       'Host': url.parse(item.url).hostname
     };
 
-    if ((options || {}).start > 0) {
+    if (options && options.start > 0) {
       headers.Range = "bytes=" + options.start + "-";
     }
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ var ytdl = module.exports = function(videoUrl, args, options) {
     });
 
     req.on('response', function(res) {
-      if ((options || {}).start > 0 && res.statusCode == 416) {
+      if (options && options.start > 0 && res.statusCode == 416) {
         // the file that is being resumed is complete.
         stream.emit('end');
         return;