diff --git a/spacy/_ml.py b/spacy/_ml.py
index d71b8d56c..dedd1bee5 100644
--- a/spacy/_ml.py
+++ b/spacy/_ml.py
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ def build_nel_encoder(embed_width, hidden_width, ner_types, **cfg):
 
     conv_depth = cfg.get("conv_depth", 2)
     cnn_maxout_pieces = cfg.get("cnn_maxout_pieces", 3)
-    pretrained_vectors = cfg.get("pretrained_vectors")  # self.nlp.vocab.vectors.name
+    pretrained_vectors = cfg.get("pretrained_vectors", None)
     context_width = cfg.get("context_width")
     entity_width = cfg.get("entity_width")