diff --git a/lib/less/index.js b/lib/less/index.js
index 39c40ca2f..8af2abb38 100644
--- a/lib/less/index.js
+++ b/lib/less/index.js
@@ -36,13 +36,13 @@ var less = {
         }
     },
     writeError: function (ctx, options) {
+        options = options || {};
+
         var message = "";
         var extract = ctx.extract;
         var error = [];
         var stylize = options.color ? less.stylize : function (str) { return str };
 
-        options = options || {};
-
         if (options.silent) { return }
 
         if (!ctx.index) {