diff --git a/src/cose/sign1.rs b/src/cose/sign1.rs
index 36da7da3..79c144c4 100644
--- a/src/cose/sign1.rs
+++ b/src/cose/sign1.rs
@@ -141,15 +141,12 @@ impl PreparedCoseSign1 {
 
         // Check if the payload is present and if it is attached or detached.
         // Needs to be exclusively attached or detached.
-        let payload = match (cose_sign1.payload.as_ref(), detached_payload) {
+        let payload = match (cose_sign1.payload.as_ref(), detached_payload.as_ref()) {
             (Some(_), Some(_)) => return Err(Error::DoublePayload),
             (None, None) => return Err(Error::NoPayload),
-            (Some(payload), None) => Some(payload.clone()),
-            (None, Some(payload)) => Some(payload),
+            (Some(payload), None) => payload,
+            (None, Some(payload)) => payload,
         };
-        let payload = payload
-            // If payload is None, use cbor null as payload.
-            .unwrap_or_else(|| vec![246u8]);
         // Create the signature payload ot be used later on signing.
         let signature_payload = sig_structure_data(
             SignatureContext::CoseSign1,