diff --git a/src/term.c b/src/term.c
index f8b5659..c4ca33e 100644
--- a/src/term.c
+++ b/src/term.c
@@ -4690,7 +4690,8 @@
 	// Unless the underline RGB color is expected to work, disable "t_8u".
 	// It does not work for the real Xterm, it resets the background color.
 	if (term_props[TPR_UNDERLINE_RGB].tpr_status != TPR_YES && *T_8U != NUL)
-	    set_option_value((char_u *)"t_8u", 0L, (char_u *)"", 0);
+	    set_string_option_direct((char_u *)"t_8u", -1, (char_u *)"",
+								  OPT_FREE, 0);
 
 	// Only set 'ttymouse' automatically if it was not set
 	// by the user already.