diff --git a/lib/jekyll/convertible.rb b/lib/jekyll/convertible.rb
index 74125e7b..da8858ee 100644
--- a/lib/jekyll/convertible.rb
+++ b/lib/jekyll/convertible.rb
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ module Jekyll
     # Returns nothing.
     def read_yaml(base, name)
       begin
-        self.content = File.read(File.join(base, name), self.site.file_read_opts)
+        opts = self.site ? self.site.file_read_opts : {}
+        self.content = File.read(File.join(base, name), opts)
 
         if self.content =~ /\A(---\s*\n.*?\n?)^(---\s*$\n?)/m
           self.content = $POSTMATCH