diff --git a/examples/example_util.c b/examples/example_util.c
index 8bfff69f..d3dbc618 100644
--- a/examples/example_util.c
+++ b/examples/example_util.c
@@ -131,8 +131,13 @@ int ExUtilLoadWebP(const char* const in_file,
                    const uint8_t** data, size_t* data_size,
                    WebPBitstreamFeatures* bitstream) {
   VP8StatusCode status;
+  WebPBitstreamFeatures local_features;
   if (!ExUtilReadFile(in_file, data, data_size)) return 0;
 
+  if (bitstream == NULL) {
+    bitstream = &local_features;
+  }
+
   status = WebPGetFeatures(*data, *data_size, bitstream);
   if (status != VP8_STATUS_OK) {
     free((void*)*data);
diff --git a/examples/example_util.h b/examples/example_util.h
index a160786e..9b396350 100644
--- a/examples/example_util.h
+++ b/examples/example_util.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ int ExUtilWriteFile(const char* const file_name,
 void ExUtilPrintWebPError(const char* const in_file, int status);
 
 // Reads a WebP from 'in_file', returning the contents and size in 'data' and
-// 'data_size'. 'bitstream' is populated using WebPGetFeatures().
+// 'data_size'. If not NULL, 'bitstream' is populated using WebPGetFeatures().
 // Returns true on success.
 int ExUtilLoadWebP(const char* const in_file,
                    const uint8_t** data, size_t* data_size,