             # includes can contain multiple classes
             includeParams = value.split(",")
             for value in includeParams
-              unless conditions.includes?
-                  conditions.includes = []
+              conditions.includes or= []
               conditions.includes.push value
           continue
         if key not in allowedWhereAttributes
           continue
         # all other parameter names are treated as where conditions
-        unless conditions.where?
-          conditions.where = {}
+        conditions.where or= {}
         firstChar = value[0]
         checksForEquality = firstChar isnt ">" and firstChar isnt "<"
         if not checksForEquality

        else
          conditions.where[key] = value

      conditions

    applyConditionsToScope: (scope, conditions) ->

              # we sort ascending by default
              # a minus in front of the attribute sorts descending
              if firstChar isnt "-"
                conditions.asc or= []
                conditions.asc.push value
              else if firstChar is "-"
                conditions.desc or= []
                conditions.desc.push value[1..-1]

          if key is "limit" or key is "offset"
