diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/component-base/metrics/options.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/component-base/metrics/options.go
index a782a16b62b..ec14b9968fb 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/component-base/metrics/options.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/component-base/metrics/options.go
@@ -67,7 +67,10 @@ func (o *Options) AddFlags(fs *pflag.FlagSet) {
 
 // Apply applies parameters into global configuration of metrics.
 func (o *Options) Apply() {
-	if o != nil && len(o.ShowHiddenMetricsForVersion) > 0 {
+	if o == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if len(o.ShowHiddenMetricsForVersion) > 0 {
 		SetShowHidden()
 	}
 	// set disabled metrics