diff --git a/lib/text/text_utils.js b/lib/text/text_utils.js
index af75da766c..01e01048cf 100644
--- a/lib/text/text_utils.js
+++ b/lib/text/text_utils.js
@@ -276,14 +276,19 @@ shaka.text.Utils = class {
     const cue = new shaka.text.Cue(vttCue.startTime, vttCue.endTime,
         vttCue.text);
     cue.line = typeof vttCue.line === 'number' ? vttCue.line : null;
-    cue.lineAlign = /** @type {shaka.text.Cue.lineAlign} */ (vttCue.lineAlign);
+    if (vttCue.lineAlign) {
+      cue.lineAlign = /** @type {shaka.text.Cue.lineAlign} */
+        (vttCue.lineAlign);
+    }
     cue.lineInterpretation = vttCue.snapToLines ?
       shaka.text.Cue.lineInterpretation.LINE_NUMBER :
       shaka.text.Cue.lineInterpretation.PERCENTAGE;
     cue.position = typeof vttCue.position === 'number' ?
       vttCue.position : null;
-    cue.positionAlign = /** @type {shaka.text.Cue.positionAlign} */
-      (vttCue.positionAlign);
+    if (vttCue.positionAlign) {
+      cue.positionAlign = /** @type {shaka.text.Cue.positionAlign} */
+        (vttCue.positionAlign);
+    }
     cue.size = vttCue.size;
     cue.textAlign = /** @type {shaka.text.Cue.textAlign} */ (vttCue.align);
     if (vttCue.vertical === 'lr') {