diff --git a/GCDWebServer/Core/GCDWebServer.m b/GCDWebServer/Core/GCDWebServer.m
index 2d8d801..0a8d31e 100644
--- a/GCDWebServer/Core/GCDWebServer.m
+++ b/GCDWebServer/Core/GCDWebServer.m
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ static inline NSString* _EncodeBase64(NSString* string) {
 
 - (BOOL)startWithOptions:(NSDictionary*)options error:(NSError**)error {
   if (_options == nil) {
-    _options = [options copy];
+    _options = options ? [options copy] : @{};
 #if TARGET_OS_IPHONE
     _suspendInBackground = [_GetOption(_options, GCDWebServerOption_AutomaticallySuspendInBackground, @YES) boolValue];
     if (((_suspendInBackground == NO) || ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] applicationState] != UIApplicationStateBackground)) && ![self _start:error])