diff --git a/src/option.c b/src/option.c
index a8aded5..d0fc1b2 100644
--- a/src/option.c
+++ b/src/option.c
@@ -8753,6 +8753,8 @@
     char	*name;
     int		value;
 {
+    if (value < 0)	/* global/local option using global value */
+	return OK;
     if (fprintf(fd, "%s %s%s", cmd, value ? "" : "no", name) < 0
 	    || put_eol(fd) < 0)
 	return FAIL;