diff --git a/src/scales/scale.category.js b/src/scales/scale.category.js
index 1acb3f2c602..bb74d40db3a 100644
--- a/src/scales/scale.category.js
+++ b/src/scales/scale.category.js
@@ -75,10 +75,12 @@ module.exports = Scale.extend({
 			me._reversePixels = !me._reversePixels;
 		}
 
-		if (ticks) {
-			me._startValue = me.minIndex - (offset ? 0.5 : 0);
-			me._valueRange = Math.max(ticks.length - (offset ? 0 : 1), 1);
+		if (!ticks) {
+			return;
 		}
+
+		me._startValue = me.minIndex - (offset ? 0.5 : 0);
+		me._valueRange = Math.max(ticks.length - (offset ? 0 : 1), 1);
 	},
 
 	// Used to get data value locations.  Value can either be an index or a numerical value