diff --git a/packages/remark-parse/index.js b/packages/remark-parse/index.js
index 357bf421f..9719b7976 100644
--- a/packages/remark-parse/index.js
+++ b/packages/remark-parse/index.js
@@ -10,12 +10,15 @@ function parse(options) {
   this.Parser = parse
 
   function parse(doc) {
-    var settings = Object.assign({}, self.data('settings'), options)
-    // Note: these options are not in the readme.
-    // The goal is for them to be set by plugins on `data` instead of being
-    // passed by users.
-    settings.extensions = settings.micromarkExtensions
-    settings.mdastExtensions = settings.fromMarkdownExtensions
-    return fromMarkdown(doc, settings)
+    return fromMarkdown(
+      doc,
+      Object.assign({}, self.data('settings'), options, {
+        // Note: these options are not in the readme.
+        // The goal is for them to be set by plugins on `data` instead of being
+        // passed by users.
+        extensions: self.data('micromarkExtensions') || [],
+        mdastExtensions: self.data('fromMarkdownExtensions') || []
+      })
+    )
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/remark-parse/test.js b/packages/remark-parse/test.js
index b099d1922..3db02e560 100644
--- a/packages/remark-parse/test.js
+++ b/packages/remark-parse/test.js
@@ -17,10 +17,9 @@ test('remark().parse(file)', function (t) {
 
   t.test('extensions', function (st) {
     var tree = unified()
-      .use(parse, {
-        micromarkExtensions: [gfmSyntax()],
-        fromMarkdownExtensions: [gfm]
-      })
+      .data('micromarkExtensions', [gfmSyntax()])
+      .data('fromMarkdownExtensions', [gfm])
+      .use(parse)
       .parse('* [x] contact@example.com ~~strikethrough~~')
 
     remove(tree, true)
diff --git a/packages/remark-stringify/index.js b/packages/remark-stringify/index.js
index 06bcdf58e..61211b43e 100644
--- a/packages/remark-stringify/index.js
+++ b/packages/remark-stringify/index.js
@@ -10,11 +10,14 @@ function stringify(options) {
   this.Compiler = compile
 
   function compile(tree) {
-    var settings = Object.assign({}, self.data('settings'), options)
-    // Note: this option is not in the readme.
-    // The goal is for it to be set by plugins on `data` instead of being
-    // passed by users.
-    settings.extensions = settings.toMarkdownExtensions
-    return toMarkdown(tree, settings)
+    return toMarkdown(
+      tree,
+      Object.assign({}, self.data('settings'), options, {
+        // Note: this option is not in the readme.
+        // The goal is for it to be set by plugins on `data` instead of being
+        // passed by users.
+        extensions: self.data('toMarkdownExtensions') || []
+      })
+    )
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/remark-stringify/test.js b/packages/remark-stringify/test.js
index 48ff8c93a..9f14a2255 100644
--- a/packages/remark-stringify/test.js
+++ b/packages/remark-stringify/test.js
@@ -461,7 +461,8 @@ test('stringify escapes', function (t) {
 
 test('extensions', function (t) {
   var doc = unified()
-    .use(stringify, {toMarkdownExtensions: [gfm()]})
+    .data('toMarkdownExtensions', [gfm()])
+    .use(stringify)
     .stringify({
       type: 'root',
       children: [