diff --git a/lua/telescope/builtin/__diagnostics.lua b/lua/telescope/builtin/__diagnostics.lua
index e29be31573..0940827e6a 100644
--- a/lua/telescope/builtin/__diagnostics.lua
+++ b/lua/telescope/builtin/__diagnostics.lua
@@ -87,6 +87,9 @@ local diagnostics_to_tbl = function(opts)
       diagnosis_opts.severity["max"] = opts.severity_bound
     end
   end
+  if vim.version().minor > 9 and vim.tbl_isempty(diagnosis_opts.severity) then
+    diagnosis_opts.severity = nil
+  end
 
   opts.root_dir = opts.root_dir == true and vim.loop.cwd() or opts.root_dir