diff --git a/docs/client.wsclient.md b/docs/client.wsclient.md
index f9e80aab..e9699d45 100644
--- a/docs/client.wsclient.md
+++ b/docs/client.wsclient.md
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ Description
 
 </td><td>
 
-[WsClientOptions](./client.wsclientoptions.md)
+[WsClientOptions](./client.wsclientoptions.md) \| undefined
 
 
 </td><td>
diff --git a/docs/client.wsclient.options.md b/docs/client.wsclient.options.md
index d9bb5198..40863ea2 100644
--- a/docs/client.wsclient.options.md
+++ b/docs/client.wsclient.options.md
@@ -7,5 +7,5 @@
 **Signature:**
 
 ```typescript
-options: WsClientOptions;
+options: WsClientOptions | undefined;
 ```
diff --git a/src/api/client.ts b/src/api/client.ts
index 7dd1f61a..21731feb 100644
--- a/src/api/client.ts
+++ b/src/api/client.ts
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ export interface AppAuthenticationRequest {
 export class WsClient extends Emittery {
   socket: IsoWebSocket;
   url: URL | undefined;
-  options: WsClientOptions;
+  options: WsClientOptions | undefined;
   private pendingRequests: Record<number, HolochainRequest>;
   private index: number;
   private authenticationToken: AppAuthenticationToken | undefined;
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ export class WsClient extends Emittery {
     super();
     this.socket = socket;
     this.url = url;
-    this.options = options || {};
+    this.options = options;
     this.pendingRequests = {};
     this.index = 0;