diff --git a/R/spec-meta-bind-.R b/R/spec-meta-bind-.R
index 99ab1a496..16b9dd14a 100644
--- a/R/spec-meta-bind-.R
+++ b/R/spec-meta-bind-.R
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ test_select_bind_one <- function(
     query = TRUE,
     skip_fun = NULL,
     check_return_value = NULL,
-    patch_bind_values = identity,
+    patch_bind_values = NULL,
     bind_error = NA,
     is_repeated = FALSE,
     is_premature_clear = FALSE,
diff --git a/R/spec-meta-bind-runner.R b/R/spec-meta-bind-runner.R
index e42601c58..85a3d9d40 100644
--- a/R/spec-meta-bind-runner.R
+++ b/R/spec-meta-bind-runner.R
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ run_bind_tester$fun <- function(
   force(is_premature_clear)
   force(is_untouched)
 
+  if (is.null(patch_bind_values)) {
+    patch_bind_values <- identity
+  }
+
   bind_values_expr <- rlang::expr({
     bind_values <- !!construct_expr(bind_values)
   })