diff --git a/lisp/ox.el b/lisp/ox.el
index 3f44b65e4..e28550ba9 100644
--- a/lisp/ox.el
+++ b/lisp/ox.el
@@ -1069,7 +1069,9 @@ BACKEND is an export back-end, as return by, e.g,,
 for the shape of the return value.
 
 Unlike to `org-export-backend-options', this function also
-returns options inherited from parent back-ends, if any."
+returns options inherited from parent back-ends, if any.
+
+Return nil if BACKEND is unknown."
   (when (symbolp backend) (setq backend (org-export-get-backend backend)))
   (when backend
     (let ((options (org-export-backend-options backend))
@@ -1373,7 +1375,7 @@ specific items to read, if any."
 		   alist))
 	   alist))
 	;; Priority is given to back-end specific options.
-	(all (append (and backend (org-export-get-all-options backend))
+	(all (append (org-export-get-all-options backend)
 		     org-export-options-alist))
 	(plist))
     (when line
@@ -1410,7 +1412,7 @@ for export.  Return options as a plist."
 			     (match-string-no-properties 4))))))
 	 ;; Look for both general keywords and back-end specific
 	 ;; options, with priority given to the latter.
-	 (options (append (and backend (org-export-get-all-options backend))
+	 (options (append (org-export-get-all-options backend)
 			  org-export-options-alist)))
      ;; Handle other keywords.  Then return PLIST.
      (dolist (option options plist)
@@ -1446,7 +1448,7 @@ Assume buffer is in Org mode.  Narrowing, if any, is ignored."
   (let* ((case-fold-search t)
 	 (options (append
 		   ;; Priority is given to back-end specific options.
-		   (and backend (org-export-get-all-options backend))
+		   (org-export-get-all-options backend)
 		   org-export-options-alist))
 	 (regexp (format "^[ \t]*#\\+%s:"
 			 (regexp-opt (nconc (delq nil (mapcar #'cadr options))
@@ -1583,7 +1585,7 @@ which back-end specific export options should also be read in the
 process."
   (let (plist
 	;; Priority is given to back-end specific options.
-	(all (append (and backend (org-export-get-all-options backend))
+	(all (append (org-export-get-all-options backend)
 		     org-export-options-alist)))
     (dolist (cell all plist)
       (let ((prop (car cell)))