diff --git a/storage/remote/codec.go b/storage/remote/codec.go
index 89faffb996..66037a9b5f 100644
--- a/storage/remote/codec.go
+++ b/storage/remote/codec.go
@@ -95,8 +95,8 @@ func ToQuery(from, to int64, matchers []*labels.Matcher, p *storage.SelectParams
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	var rp *prompb.ReadHints = nil
 
+	var rp *prompb.ReadHints
 	if p != nil {
 		rp = &prompb.ReadHints{
 			StepMs: p.Step,