diff --git a/lib/mutations/input_filter.rb b/lib/mutations/input_filter.rb
index 011651d..1fe231a 100644
--- a/lib/mutations/input_filter.rb
+++ b/lib/mutations/input_filter.rb
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ def default
 
     # Only relevant for optional params
     def discard_nils?
-      !options[:nils]
+      options.fetch(:discard_nils, !options[:nils])
     end
 
     def discard_empty?