diff --git a/lib/timeline/Timeline.js b/lib/timeline/Timeline.js
index 439537e0..43b7b583 100644
--- a/lib/timeline/Timeline.js
+++ b/lib/timeline/Timeline.js
@@ -60,7 +60,11 @@ function Timeline (container, items, groups, options) {
     minHeight: null
   };
   this.options = util.deepExtend({}, this.defaultOptions);
-  if (options) { this.options.rtl = options.rtl; }
+
+  // apply options
+  if (options) {
+    this.setOptions(options);
+  }
 
   // Create the DOM, props, and emitter
   this._create(container);
@@ -145,11 +149,6 @@ function Timeline (container, items, groups, options) {
     }
   });
 
-  // apply options
-  if (options) {
-    this.setOptions(options);
-  }
-
   // IMPORTANT: THIS HAPPENS BEFORE SET ITEMS!
   if (groups) {
     this.setGroups(groups);