diff --git a/lua/telescope/_extensions/frecency.lua b/lua/telescope/_extensions/frecency.lua
index 157b6c8..c7a9aaa 100644
--- a/lua/telescope/_extensions/frecency.lua
+++ b/lua/telescope/_extensions/frecency.lua
@@ -285,8 +285,8 @@ return telescope.register_extension {
     db_client.init(
       ext_config.db_root,
       ext_config.ignore_patterns,
-      ext_config.db_safe_mode or true,
-      ext_config.auto_validate or true
+      vim.F.if_nil(ext_config.db_safe_mode, true),
+      vim.F.if_nil(ext_config.auto_validate, true)
     )
   end,
   exports = {