diff --git a/lib/timeline/Core.js b/lib/timeline/Core.js
index 5213190e8..272cfdb88 100644
--- a/lib/timeline/Core.js
+++ b/lib/timeline/Core.js
@@ -375,7 +375,9 @@ Core.prototype.setOptions = function (options) {
       }
     }
 
-    this.options.orientation = {item:undefined,axis:undefined};
+    if (typeof this.options.orientation !== 'object') {
+      this.options.orientation = {item:undefined,axis:undefined};
+    }
     if ('orientation' in options) {
       if (typeof options.orientation === 'string') {
         this.options.orientation = {