diff --git a/autoload/ale/pattern_options.vim b/autoload/ale/pattern_options.vim
index c445a9ed..d1f91785 100644
--- a/autoload/ale/pattern_options.vim
+++ b/autoload/ale/pattern_options.vim
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ function! s:CmpPatterns(left_item, right_item) abort
 endfunction
 
 function! ale#pattern_options#SetOptions(buffer) abort
-    if !g:ale_pattern_options_enabled || empty(g:ale_pattern_options)
+    if !get(g:, 'ale_pattern_options_enabled', 0)
+    \|| empty(get(g:, 'ale_pattern_options', 0))
         return
     endif
 
diff --git a/test/test_pattern_options.vader b/test/test_pattern_options.vader
index 0e26eaaa..f439afbd 100644
--- a/test/test_pattern_options.vader
+++ b/test/test_pattern_options.vader
@@ -90,3 +90,14 @@ Execute(Patterns should be applied after the Dictionary changes):
   call ale#pattern_options#SetOptions(bufnr(''))
 
   AssertEqual 666, b:some_option
+
+Execute(SetOptions should tolerate settings being unset):
+  " This might happen if ALE is loaded in a weird way, so tolerate it.
+  unlet! g:ale_pattern_options
+  unlet! g:ale_pattern_options_enabled
+
+  call ale#pattern_options#SetOptions(bufnr(''))
+
+  let g:ale_pattern_options_enabled = 1
+
+  call ale#pattern_options#SetOptions(bufnr(''))