             # 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

          This would sort ascending by createdAt and descending by title. Ascending is assumed by default
    ###
    buildConditionsFromParameters: (parameters) ->

      ###
          Some parameter names are reserved and have a special meaning
      ###
      reservedParams = ["sort","include","includes","limit","offset","method","controller","action","format"]

      # only accept parameters that represent an attribute for where conditions
      allowedWhereAttributes = []
      allowedWhereAttributes.push key for key,value of App[@resourceOptions.resourceClass].metadata().attributes

      conditions = {}


        else
          conditions.where[key] = value


      conditions

    applyConditionsToScope: (scope, conditions) ->
