diff --git a/basics.yml b/basics.yml
index ddf627b..f6db65c 100644
--- a/basics.yml
+++ b/basics.yml
@@ -724,9 +724,6 @@
             exit 1
           fi
 
-          to="$default_to"
-          togroup="$default_togroup"
-                    
           while getopts s:t:g:h:m: o
           do
              case $o in
@@ -738,6 +735,8 @@
              esac
           done
           
+          [ -z "$to" ] && to="$default_to"
+          [ -z "$togroup" ] && togroup="$default_togroup"
           message="$(cat)"
           orig_message="$message"
           [ "$message" = "''" ] && exit 0