diff --git a/src/QRCode.php b/src/QRCode.php
index 851c43e02..c56d436c4 100644
--- a/src/QRCode.php
+++ b/src/QRCode.php
@@ -105,14 +105,14 @@ class QRCode{
 	public function setData($data, QROptions $options = null){
 		$data = trim($data);
 
-		if(!$options instanceof QROptions){
-			$options = new QROptions;
-		}
-
 		if(empty($data)){
 			throw new QRCodeException('No data given.');
 		}
 
+		if(!$options instanceof QROptions){
+			$options = new QROptions;
+		}
+
 		if(!array_key_exists($options->errorCorrectLevel, QRConst::RSBLOCK)){
 			throw new QRCodeException('Invalid error correct level: '.$options->errorCorrectLevel);
 		}