diff --git a/jwt/api_jwt.py b/jwt/api_jwt.py
index a61a29643..72ad58ce0 100644
--- a/jwt/api_jwt.py
+++ b/jwt/api_jwt.py
@@ -61,8 +61,9 @@ def decode(self, jwt, key='', verify=True, algorithms=None, options=None,
         payload, signing_input, header, signature = self._load(jwt)
 
         if options is None:
-            options = {}
-        options.setdefault('verify_signature', verify)
+            options = {'verify_signature': verify}
+        else:
+            options.setdefault('verify_signature', verify)
         decoded = super(PyJWT, self).decode(jwt, key, algorithms, options,
                                             **kwargs)