diff --git a/authenticate/authenticate.go b/authenticate/authenticate.go
index 662ee39f3..cc9ea31dc 100644
--- a/authenticate/authenticate.go
+++ b/authenticate/authenticate.go
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ import (
 // ValidateOptions checks to see if configuration values are valid for the authenticate service.
 // The checks do not modify the internal state of the Option structure. Returns
 // on first error found.
-func ValidateOptions(o *config.Options) error {
-	if o.AuthenticateURL == nil || o.AuthenticateURL.Hostname() == "" {
+func ValidateOptions(o config.Options) error {
+	if o.AuthenticateURL.Hostname() == "" {
 		return errors.New("authenticate: 'AUTHENTICATE_SERVICE_URL' missing")
 	}
 	if o.ClientID == "" {
@@ -54,10 +54,7 @@ type Authenticate struct {
 }
 
 // New validates and creates a new authenticate service from a set of Options
-func New(opts *config.Options) (*Authenticate, error) {
-	if opts == nil {
-		return nil, errors.New("authenticate: options cannot be nil")
-	}
+func New(opts config.Options) (*Authenticate, error) {
 	if err := ValidateOptions(opts); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -83,7 +80,7 @@ func New(opts *config.Options) (*Authenticate, error) {
 	provider, err := identity.New(
 		opts.Provider,
 		&identity.Provider{
-			RedirectURL:    redirectURL,
+			RedirectURL:    &redirectURL,
 			ProviderName:   opts.Provider,
 			ProviderURL:    opts.ProviderURL,
 			ClientID:       opts.ClientID,
@@ -97,7 +94,7 @@ func New(opts *config.Options) (*Authenticate, error) {
 
 	return &Authenticate{
 		SharedKey:    opts.SharedKey,
-		RedirectURL:  redirectURL,
+		RedirectURL:  &redirectURL,
 		templates:    templates.New(),
 		csrfStore:    cookieStore,
 		sessionStore: cookieStore,
diff --git a/authenticate/authenticate_test.go b/authenticate/authenticate_test.go
index da81e3cd9..6bc0ea182 100644
--- a/authenticate/authenticate_test.go
+++ b/authenticate/authenticate_test.go
@@ -8,10 +8,10 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pomerium/pomerium/internal/config"
 )
 
-func testOptions() *config.Options {
+func testOptions() config.Options {
 	redirectURL, _ := url.Parse("https://example.com/oauth2/callback")
-	return &config.Options{
-		AuthenticateURL: redirectURL,
+	return config.Options{
+		AuthenticateURL: *redirectURL,
 		SharedKey:       "80ldlrU2d7w+wVpKNfevk6fmb8otEx6CqOfshj2LwhQ=",
 		ClientID:        "test-client-id",
 		ClientSecret:    "OromP1gurwGWjQPYb1nNgSxtbVB5NnLzX6z5WOKr0Yw=",
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func testOptions() *config.Options {
 func TestOptions_Validate(t *testing.T) {
 	good := testOptions()
 	badRedirectURL := testOptions()
-	badRedirectURL.AuthenticateURL = nil
+	badRedirectURL.AuthenticateURL = url.URL{}
 	emptyClientID := testOptions()
 	emptyClientID.ClientID = ""
 	emptyClientSecret := testOptions()
@@ -39,15 +39,15 @@ func TestOptions_Validate(t *testing.T) {
 	badSharedKey := testOptions()
 	badSharedKey.SharedKey = ""
 	badAuthenticateURL := testOptions()
-	badAuthenticateURL.AuthenticateURL = new(url.URL)
+	badAuthenticateURL.AuthenticateURL = url.URL{}
 
 	tests := []struct {
 		name    string
-		o       *config.Options
+		o       config.Options
 		wantErr bool
 	}{
 		{"minimum options", good, false},
-		{"nil options", &config.Options{}, true},
+		{"nil options", config.Options{}, true},
 		{"bad redirect  url", badRedirectURL, true},
 		{"no cookie secret", emptyCookieSecret, true},
 		{"invalid cookie secret", invalidCookieSecret, true},
@@ -72,16 +72,16 @@ func TestNew(t *testing.T) {
 	good.Provider = "google"
 
 	badRedirectURL := testOptions()
-	badRedirectURL.AuthenticateURL = nil
+	badRedirectURL.AuthenticateURL = url.URL{}
 
 	tests := []struct {
 		name string
-		opts *config.Options
+		opts config.Options
 		// want    *Authenticate
 		wantErr bool
 	}{
 		{"good", good, false},
-		{"empty opts", nil, true},
+		{"empty opts", config.Options{}, true},
 		{"fails to validate", badRedirectURL, true},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
diff --git a/authorize/authorize.go b/authorize/authorize.go
index f276458e5..1fbff172c 100644
--- a/authorize/authorize.go
+++ b/authorize/authorize.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import (
 
 // ValidateOptions checks to see if configuration values are valid for the
 // authorize service. Returns first error, if found.
-func ValidateOptions(o *config.Options) error {
+func ValidateOptions(o config.Options) error {
 	decoded, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(o.SharedKey)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("authorize: `SHARED_SECRET` setting is invalid base64: %v", err)
@@ -39,10 +39,7 @@ type Authorize struct {
 }
 
 // New validates and creates a new Authorize service from a set of Options
-func New(opts *config.Options) (*Authorize, error) {
-	if opts == nil {
-		return nil, errors.New("authorize: options cannot be nil")
-	}
+func New(opts config.Options) (*Authorize, error) {
 	if err := ValidateOptions(opts); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -67,7 +64,7 @@ func (a *Authorize) ValidIdentity(route string, identity *Identity) bool {
 }
 
 // UpdateOptions updates internal structres based on config.Options
-func (a *Authorize) UpdateOptions(o *config.Options) error {
+func (a *Authorize) UpdateOptions(o config.Options) error {
 	log.Info().Msg("authorize: updating options")
 	a.identityAccess = NewIdentityWhitelist(o.Policies, o.Administrators)
 	return nil
diff --git a/authorize/authorize_test.go b/authorize/authorize_test.go
index 71be228e5..decddae92 100644
--- a/authorize/authorize_test.go
+++ b/authorize/authorize_test.go
@@ -22,14 +22,14 @@ func TestNew(t *testing.T) {
 		{"bad shared secret", "AZA85podM73CjLCjViDNz1EUvvejKpWp7Hysr0knXA==", policies, true},
 		{"really bad shared secret", "sup", policies, true},
 		{"validation error, short secret", "AZA85podM73CjLCjViDNz1EUvvejKpWp7Hysr0knXA==", policies, true},
-		{"nil options", "", []policy.Policy{}, true},                                                  // special case
+		{"empty options", "", []policy.Policy{}, true},                                                // special case
 		{"missing policies", "gXK6ggrlIW2HyKyUF9rUO4azrDgxhDPWqw9y+lJU7B8=", []policy.Policy{}, true}, // special case
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			o := &config.Options{SharedKey: tt.SharedKey, Policies: tt.Policies}
-			if tt.name == "nil options" {
-				o = nil
+			o := config.Options{SharedKey: tt.SharedKey, Policies: tt.Policies}
+			if tt.name == "empty options" {
+				o = config.Options{}
 			}
 			_, err := New(o)
 			if (err != nil) != tt.wantErr {
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func Test_UpdateOptions(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			o := &config.Options{SharedKey: tt.SharedKey, Policies: tt.Policies}
+			o := config.Options{SharedKey: tt.SharedKey, Policies: tt.Policies}
 			authorize, _ := New(o)
 			o.Policies = tt.newPolices
 			authorize.UpdateOptions(o)
diff --git a/cmd/pomerium/main.go b/cmd/pomerium/main.go
index ce7a45dd8..c56816ac1 100644
--- a/cmd/pomerium/main.go
+++ b/cmd/pomerium/main.go
@@ -114,8 +114,8 @@ func startRedirectServer(addr string) (*http.Server, error) {
 	return srv, nil
 }
 
-func newAuthenticateService(opt *config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux, rpc *grpc.Server) (*authenticate.Authenticate, error) {
-	if opt == nil || !config.IsAuthenticate(opt.Services) {
+func newAuthenticateService(opt config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux, rpc *grpc.Server) (*authenticate.Authenticate, error) {
+	if !config.IsAuthenticate(opt.Services) {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 	service, err := authenticate.New(opt)
@@ -127,8 +127,8 @@ func newAuthenticateService(opt *config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux, rpc *grpc.S
 	return service, nil
 }
 
-func newAuthorizeService(opt *config.Options, rpc *grpc.Server) (*authorize.Authorize, error) {
-	if opt == nil || !config.IsAuthorize(opt.Services) {
+func newAuthorizeService(opt config.Options, rpc *grpc.Server) (*authorize.Authorize, error) {
+	if !config.IsAuthorize(opt.Services) {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 	service, err := authorize.New(opt)
@@ -139,8 +139,8 @@ func newAuthorizeService(opt *config.Options, rpc *grpc.Server) (*authorize.Auth
 	return service, nil
 }
 
-func newProxyService(opt *config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux) (*proxy.Proxy, error) {
-	if opt == nil || !config.IsProxy(opt.Services) {
+func newProxyService(opt config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux) (*proxy.Proxy, error) {
+	if !config.IsProxy(opt.Services) {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 	service, err := proxy.New(opt)
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func newProxyService(opt *config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux) (*proxy.Proxy, err
 	return service, nil
 }
 
-func wrapMiddleware(o *config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux) http.Handler {
+func wrapMiddleware(o config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux) http.Handler {
 	c := middleware.NewChain()
 	c = c.Append(log.NewHandler(log.Logger))
 	c = c.Append(log.AccessHandler(func(r *http.Request, status, size int, duration time.Duration) {
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ func wrapMiddleware(o *config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux) http.Handler {
 			Str("url", r.URL.String()).
 			Msg("http-request")
 	}))
-	if o != nil && len(o.Headers) != 0 {
+	if len(o.Headers) != 0 {
 		c = c.Append(middleware.SetHeaders(o.Headers))
 	}
 	c = c.Append(log.ForwardedAddrHandler("fwd_ip"))
@@ -178,10 +178,10 @@ func wrapMiddleware(o *config.Options, mux *http.ServeMux) http.Handler {
 	return c.Then(mux)
 }
 
-func parseOptions(configFile string) (*config.Options, error) {
+func parseOptions(configFile string) (config.Options, error) {
 	o, err := config.OptionsFromViper(configFile)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+		return o, err
 	}
 	if o.Debug {
 		log.SetDebugMode()
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ func parseOptions(configFile string) (*config.Options, error) {
 	return o, nil
 }
 
-func handleConfigUpdate(opt *config.Options, services []config.OptionsUpdater) *config.Options {
+func handleConfigUpdate(opt config.Options, services []config.OptionsUpdater) config.Options {
 	newOpt, err := parseOptions(*configFile)
 	optChecksum := opt.Checksum()
 	newOptChecksum := newOpt.Checksum()
diff --git a/cmd/pomerium/main_test.go b/cmd/pomerium/main_test.go
index 6aa27fe15..b3212a629 100644
--- a/cmd/pomerium/main_test.go
+++ b/cmd/pomerium/main_test.go
@@ -78,11 +78,11 @@ func Test_newAuthenticateService(t *testing.T) {
 			testOpts.ClientSecret = "TEST"
 			testOpts.SharedKey = "YixWi1MYh77NMECGGIJQevoonYtVF+ZPRkQZrrmeRqM="
 			testOpts.CookieSecret = "YixWi1MYh77NMECGGIJQevoonYtVF+ZPRkQZrrmeRqM="
-			testOpts.AuthenticateURL = authURL
+			testOpts.AuthenticateURL = *authURL
 			testOpts.Services = tt.s
 
 			if tt.Field != "" {
-				testOptsField := reflect.ValueOf(testOpts).Elem().FieldByName(tt.Field)
+				testOptsField := reflect.ValueOf(&testOpts).Elem().FieldByName(tt.Field)
 				testOptsField.Set(reflect.ValueOf(tt).FieldByName("Value"))
 			}
 
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func Test_newAuthorizeService(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 
 			if tt.Field != "" {
-				testOptsField := reflect.ValueOf(testOpts).Elem().FieldByName(tt.Field)
+				testOptsField := reflect.ValueOf(&testOpts).Elem().FieldByName(tt.Field)
 				testOptsField.Set(reflect.ValueOf(tt).FieldByName("Value"))
 			}
 
@@ -162,13 +162,17 @@ func Test_newProxyeService(t *testing.T) {
 			testOpts.Policies = []policy.Policy{
 				testPolicy,
 			}
-			testOpts.AuthenticateURL, _ = url.Parse("https://authenticate.example.com")
-			testOpts.AuthorizeURL, _ = url.Parse("https://authorize.example.com")
+
+			AuthenticateURL, _ := url.Parse("https://authenticate.example.com")
+			AuthorizeURL, _ := url.Parse("https://authorize.example.com")
+
+			testOpts.AuthenticateURL = *AuthenticateURL
+			testOpts.AuthorizeURL = *AuthorizeURL
 			testOpts.CookieSecret = "YixWi1MYh77NMECGGIJQevoonYtVF+ZPRkQZrrmeRqM="
 			testOpts.Services = tt.s
 
 			if tt.Field != "" {
-				testOptsField := reflect.ValueOf(testOpts).Elem().FieldByName(tt.Field)
+				testOptsField := reflect.ValueOf(&testOpts).Elem().FieldByName(tt.Field)
 				testOptsField.Set(reflect.ValueOf(tt).FieldByName("Value"))
 			}
 			_, err := newProxyService(testOpts, mux)
@@ -181,7 +185,7 @@ func Test_newProxyeService(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func Test_wrapMiddleware(t *testing.T) {
-	o := &config.Options{
+	o := config.Options{
 		Services: "all",
 		Headers: map[string]string{
 			"X-Content-Type-Options":    "nosniff",
@@ -232,7 +236,7 @@ func Test_parseOptions(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Errorf("parseOptions() error = %v, wantErr %v", err, tt.wantErr)
 				return
 			}
-			if got != nil && got.SharedKey != tt.wantSharedKey {
+			if got.SharedKey != tt.wantSharedKey {
 				t.Errorf("parseOptions()\n")
 				t.Errorf("got: %+v\n", got.SharedKey)
 				t.Errorf("want: %+v\n", tt.wantSharedKey)
@@ -247,7 +251,7 @@ type mockService struct {
 	Updated bool
 }
 
-func (m *mockService) UpdateOptions(o *config.Options) error {
+func (m *mockService) UpdateOptions(o config.Options) error {
 
 	m.Updated = true
 	if m.fail {
@@ -266,7 +270,7 @@ func Test_handleConfigUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name       string
 		service    *mockService
-		oldOpts    *config.Options
+		oldOpts    config.Options
 		wantUpdate bool
 	}{
 		{"good", &mockService{fail: false}, blankOpts, true},
diff --git a/internal/config/options.go b/internal/config/options.go
index ad62fbd5e..923671933 100644
--- a/internal/config/options.go
+++ b/internal/config/options.go
@@ -70,8 +70,8 @@ type Options struct {
 
 	// AuthenticateURL represents the externally accessible http endpoints
 	// used for authentication requests and callbacks
-	AuthenticateURLString string   `mapstructure:"authenticate_service_url"`
-	AuthenticateURL       *url.URL `hash:"ignore"`
+	AuthenticateURLString string `mapstructure:"authenticate_service_url"`
+	AuthenticateURL       url.URL
 
 	// Session/Cookie management
 	// https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Set-Cookie
@@ -103,13 +103,13 @@ type Options struct {
 	// NOTE: As many load balancers do not support externally routed gRPC so
 	// this may be an internal location.
 	AuthenticateInternalAddrString string `mapstructure:"authenticate_internal_url"`
-	AuthenticateInternalAddr       *url.URL
+	AuthenticateInternalAddr       url.URL
 
 	// AuthorizeURL is the routable destination of the authorize service's
 	// gRPC endpoint. NOTE: As many load balancers do not support
 	// externally routed gRPC so this may be an internal location.
 	AuthorizeURLString string `mapstructure:"authorize_service_url"`
-	AuthorizeURL       *url.URL
+	AuthorizeURL       url.URL
 
 	// Settings to enable custom behind-the-ingress service communication
 	OverrideCertificateName string `mapstructure:"override_certificate_name"`
@@ -136,8 +136,8 @@ type Options struct {
 }
 
 // NewOptions returns a new options struct with default values
-func NewOptions() *Options {
-	o := &Options{
+func NewOptions() Options {
+	o := Options{
 		Debug:                  false,
 		LogLevel:               "debug",
 		Services:               "all",
@@ -153,25 +153,22 @@ func NewOptions() *Options {
 			"X-XSS-Protection":          "1; mode=block",
 			"Strict-Transport-Security": "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains; preload",
 		},
-		Addr:                     ":https",
-		CertFile:                 filepath.Join(findPwd(), "cert.pem"),
-		KeyFile:                  filepath.Join(findPwd(), "privkey.pem"),
-		ReadHeaderTimeout:        10 * time.Second,
-		ReadTimeout:              30 * time.Second,
-		WriteTimeout:             0, // support streaming by default
-		IdleTimeout:              5 * time.Minute,
-		AuthenticateURL:          new(url.URL),
-		AuthenticateInternalAddr: new(url.URL),
-		AuthorizeURL:             new(url.URL),
-		RefreshCooldown:          time.Duration(5 * time.Minute),
-		AllowWebsockets:          false,
+		Addr:              ":https",
+		CertFile:          filepath.Join(findPwd(), "cert.pem"),
+		KeyFile:           filepath.Join(findPwd(), "privkey.pem"),
+		ReadHeaderTimeout: 10 * time.Second,
+		ReadTimeout:       30 * time.Second,
+		WriteTimeout:      0, // support streaming by default
+		IdleTimeout:       5 * time.Minute,
+		RefreshCooldown:   time.Duration(5 * time.Minute),
+		AllowWebsockets:   false,
 	}
 	return o
 }
 
 // OptionsFromViper builds the main binary's configuration
 // options by parsing environmental variables and config file
-func OptionsFromViper(configFile string) (*Options, error) {
+func OptionsFromViper(configFile string) (Options, error) {
 	o := NewOptions()
 
 	// Load up config
@@ -184,25 +181,25 @@ func OptionsFromViper(configFile string) (*Options, error) {
 		viper.SetConfigFile(configFile)
 		err := viper.ReadInConfig()
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to read config: %s", err)
+			return o, fmt.Errorf("failed to read config: %s", err)
 		}
 	}
 
-	err := viper.Unmarshal(o)
+	err := viper.Unmarshal(&o)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to load options from config: %s", err)
+		return o, fmt.Errorf("failed to load options from config: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	// Turn URL strings into url structs
 	err = o.parseURLs()
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse URLs: %s", err)
+		return o, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse URLs: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	// Load and initialize policy
 	err = o.parsePolicy()
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse Policy: %s", err)
+		return o, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse Policy: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if o.Debug {
@@ -217,7 +214,7 @@ func OptionsFromViper(configFile string) (*Options, error) {
 
 	err = o.validate()
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+		return o, err
 	}
 
 	log.Debug().
@@ -302,7 +299,7 @@ func (o *Options) parseURLs() error {
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("internal/config: bad authenticate-url %s : %v", o.AuthenticateURLString, err)
 		}
-		o.AuthenticateURL = AuthenticateURL
+		o.AuthenticateURL = *AuthenticateURL
 	}
 
 	if o.AuthorizeURLString != "" {
@@ -310,7 +307,7 @@ func (o *Options) parseURLs() error {
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("internal/config: bad authorize-url %s : %v", o.AuthorizeURLString, err)
 		}
-		o.AuthorizeURL = AuthorizeURL
+		o.AuthorizeURL = *AuthorizeURL
 	}
 
 	if o.AuthenticateInternalAddrString != "" {
@@ -318,7 +315,7 @@ func (o *Options) parseURLs() error {
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("internal/config: bad authenticate-internal-addr %s : %v", o.AuthenticateInternalAddrString, err)
 		}
-		o.AuthenticateInternalAddr = AuthenticateInternalAddr
+		o.AuthenticateInternalAddr = *AuthenticateInternalAddr
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -396,7 +393,7 @@ func IsProxy(s string) bool {
 
 // OptionsUpdater updates local state based on an Options struct
 type OptionsUpdater interface {
-	UpdateOptions(*Options) error
+	UpdateOptions(Options) error
 }
 
 // Checksum returns the checksum of the current options struct
diff --git a/internal/config/options_test.go b/internal/config/options_test.go
index a1623b80d..0adb30fab 100644
--- a/internal/config/options_test.go
+++ b/internal/config/options_test.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import (
 
 func Test_validate(t *testing.T) {
 
-	testOptions := func() *Options {
+	testOptions := func() Options {
 		o := NewOptions()
 		o.SharedKey = "test"
 		o.Services = "all"
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func Test_validate(t *testing.T) {
 
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string
-		testOpts *Options
+		testOpts Options
 		wantErr  bool
 	}{
 		{"good default with no env settings", good, false},
@@ -194,10 +194,10 @@ func Test_parseURLs(t *testing.T) {
 		if (err != nil) != test.wantErr {
 			t.Errorf("Failed to parse URLs %v: %s", test, err)
 		}
-		if o.AuthenticateURL != nil && o.AuthenticateURL.String() != test.authenticateURL {
+		if err == nil && o.AuthenticateURL.String() != test.authenticateURL {
 			t.Errorf("Failed to update AuthenticateURL: %v", test)
 		}
-		if o.AuthorizeURL != nil && o.AuthorizeURL.String() != test.authorizeURL {
+		if err == nil && o.AuthorizeURL.String() != test.authorizeURL {
 			t.Errorf("Failed to update AuthorizeURL: %v", test)
 		}
 	}
@@ -230,8 +230,8 @@ func Test_OptionsFromViper(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	goodOptions.AuthorizeURL = authorize
-	goodOptions.AuthenticateURL = authenticate
+	goodOptions.AuthorizeURL = *authorize
+	goodOptions.AuthenticateURL = *authenticate
 
 	badConfigBytes := []byte("badjson!")
 	badUnmarshalConfigBytes := []byte(`"debug": "blue"`)
@@ -239,12 +239,12 @@ func Test_OptionsFromViper(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name        string
 		configBytes []byte
-		want        *Options
+		want        Options
 		wantErr     bool
 	}{
 		{"good", goodConfigBytes, goodOptions, false},
-		{"bad json", badConfigBytes, nil, true},
-		{"bad unmarshal", badUnmarshalConfigBytes, nil, true},
+		{"bad json", badConfigBytes, NewOptions(), true},
+		{"bad unmarshal", badUnmarshalConfigBytes, NewOptions(), true},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -268,8 +268,8 @@ func Test_OptionsFromViper(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Test for missing config file
-	o, err := OptionsFromViper("filedoesnotexist")
-	if o != nil || err == nil {
+	_, err = OptionsFromViper("filedoesnotexist")
+	if err == nil {
 		t.Errorf("OptionsFromViper(): Did when loading missing file")
 	}
 }
diff --git a/proxy/handlers.go b/proxy/handlers.go
index 82e9ae582..35c562936 100644
--- a/proxy/handlers.go
+++ b/proxy/handlers.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/pomerium/pomerium/internal/config"
+
 	"github.com/pomerium/pomerium/internal/cryptutil"
 	"github.com/pomerium/pomerium/internal/httputil"
 	"github.com/pomerium/pomerium/internal/log"
@@ -529,7 +530,7 @@ func extendDeadline(ttl time.Duration) time.Time {
 }
 
 // websocketHandlerFunc splits request serving with timeouts depending on the protocol
-func websocketHandlerFunc(baseHandler http.Handler, timeoutHandler http.Handler, o *config.Options) http.Handler {
+func websocketHandlerFunc(baseHandler http.Handler, timeoutHandler http.Handler, o config.Options) http.Handler {
 	return http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 
 		// Do not use timeouts for websockets because they are long-lived connections.
diff --git a/proxy/handlers_test.go b/proxy/handlers_test.go
index 7545e93d9..9a8213d27 100644
--- a/proxy/handlers_test.go
+++ b/proxy/handlers_test.go
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ func TestProxy_Proxy(t *testing.T) {
 
 	tests := []struct {
 		name          string
-		options       *config.Options
+		options       config.Options
 		method        string
 		header        http.Header
 		host          string
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ func TestProxy_UserDashboard(t *testing.T) {
 	opts := testOptions()
 	tests := []struct {
 		name          string
-		options       *config.Options
+		options       config.Options
 		method        string
 		cipher        cryptutil.Cipher
 		session       sessions.SessionStore
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ func TestProxy_Refresh(t *testing.T) {
 
 	tests := []struct {
 		name          string
-		options       *config.Options
+		options       config.Options
 		method        string
 		cipher        cryptutil.Cipher
 		session       sessions.SessionStore
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ func TestProxy_Impersonate(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name          string
 		malformed     bool
-		options       *config.Options
+		options       config.Options
 		method        string
 		email         string
 		groups        string
diff --git a/proxy/proxy.go b/proxy/proxy.go
index bb4883aa6..e16f5d7f1 100755
--- a/proxy/proxy.go
+++ b/proxy/proxy.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ const (
 
 // ValidateOptions checks that proper configuration settings are set to create
 // a proper Proxy instance
-func ValidateOptions(o *config.Options) error {
+func ValidateOptions(o config.Options) error {
 	decoded, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(o.SharedKey)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("authorize: `SHARED_SECRET` setting is invalid base64: %v", err)
@@ -46,13 +46,13 @@ func ValidateOptions(o *config.Options) error {
 	if len(o.Policies) == 0 {
 		return errors.New("missing setting: no policies defined")
 	}
-	if o.AuthenticateURL == nil {
+	if o.AuthenticateURL.String() == "" {
 		return errors.New("missing setting: authenticate-service-url")
 	}
 	if o.AuthenticateURL.Scheme != "https" {
 		return errors.New("authenticate-service-url must be a valid https url")
 	}
-	if o.AuthorizeURL == nil {
+	if o.AuthorizeURL.String() == "" {
 		return errors.New("missing setting: authorize-service-url")
 	}
 	if o.AuthorizeURL.Scheme != "https" {
@@ -106,10 +106,7 @@ type routeConfig struct {
 
 // New takes a Proxy service from options and a validation function.
 // Function returns an error if options fail to validate.
-func New(opts *config.Options) (*Proxy, error) {
-	if opts == nil {
-		return nil, errors.New("options cannot be nil")
-	}
+func New(opts config.Options) (*Proxy, error) {
 	if err := ValidateOptions(opts); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -137,7 +134,7 @@ func New(opts *config.Options) (*Proxy, error) {
 	p := &Proxy{
 		routeConfigs: make(map[string]*routeConfig),
 		// services
-		AuthenticateURL: opts.AuthenticateURL,
+		AuthenticateURL: &opts.AuthenticateURL,
 		// session state
 		cipher:          cipher,
 		csrfStore:       cookieStore,
@@ -177,7 +174,7 @@ func New(opts *config.Options) (*Proxy, error) {
 }
 
 // UpdatePolicies updates the handlers based on the configured policies
-func (p *Proxy) UpdatePolicies(opts *config.Options) error {
+func (p *Proxy) UpdatePolicies(opts config.Options) error {
 	routeConfigs := make(map[string]*routeConfig)
 	for _, route := range opts.Policies {
 		proxy := NewReverseProxy(route.Destination)
@@ -254,7 +251,7 @@ func NewReverseProxy(to *url.URL) *httputil.ReverseProxy {
 }
 
 // NewReverseProxyHandler applies handler specific options to a given route.
-func NewReverseProxyHandler(o *config.Options, proxy *httputil.ReverseProxy, route *policy.Policy) (http.Handler, error) {
+func NewReverseProxyHandler(o config.Options, proxy *httputil.ReverseProxy, route *policy.Policy) (http.Handler, error) {
 	up := &UpstreamProxy{
 		name:       route.Destination.Host,
 		handler:    proxy,
@@ -287,7 +284,7 @@ func urlParse(uri string) (*url.URL, error) {
 }
 
 // UpdateOptions updates internal structres based on config.Options
-func (p *Proxy) UpdateOptions(o *config.Options) error {
+func (p *Proxy) UpdateOptions(o config.Options) error {
 	log.Info().Msg("proxy: updating options")
 	err := p.UpdatePolicies(o)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/proxy/proxy_test.go b/proxy/proxy_test.go
index 3445a3cc3..de2b63f5c 100644
--- a/proxy/proxy_test.go
+++ b/proxy/proxy_test.go
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func TestNewReverseProxyHandler(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func testOptions() *config.Options {
+func testOptions() config.Options {
 	authenticateService, _ := url.Parse("https://authenticate.corp.beyondperimeter.com")
 	authorizeService, _ := url.Parse("https://authorize.corp.beyondperimeter.com")
 
@@ -88,15 +88,15 @@ func testOptions() *config.Options {
 	testPolicy := policy.Policy{From: "corp.example.notatld", To: "example.notatld"}
 	testPolicy.Validate()
 	opts.Policies = []policy.Policy{testPolicy}
-	opts.AuthenticateURL = authenticateService
-	opts.AuthorizeURL = authorizeService
+	opts.AuthenticateURL = *authenticateService
+	opts.AuthorizeURL = *authorizeService
 	opts.SharedKey = "80ldlrU2d7w+wVpKNfevk6fmb8otEx6CqOfshj2LwhQ="
 	opts.CookieSecret = "OromP1gurwGWjQPYb1nNgSxtbVB5NnLzX6z5WOKr0Yw="
 	opts.CookieName = "pomerium"
 	return opts
 }
 
-func testOptionsTestServer(uri string) *config.Options {
+func testOptionsTestServer(uri string) config.Options {
 	authenticateService, _ := url.Parse("https://authenticate.corp.beyondperimeter.com")
 	authorizeService, _ := url.Parse("https://authorize.corp.beyondperimeter.com")
 	// RFC 2606
@@ -107,15 +107,15 @@ func testOptionsTestServer(uri string) *config.Options {
 	testPolicy.Validate()
 	opts := config.NewOptions()
 	opts.Policies = []policy.Policy{testPolicy}
-	opts.AuthenticateURL = authenticateService
-	opts.AuthorizeURL = authorizeService
+	opts.AuthenticateURL = *authenticateService
+	opts.AuthorizeURL = *authorizeService
 	opts.SharedKey = "80ldlrU2d7w+wVpKNfevk6fmb8otEx6CqOfshj2LwhQ="
 	opts.CookieSecret = "OromP1gurwGWjQPYb1nNgSxtbVB5NnLzX6z5WOKr0Yw="
 	opts.CookieName = "pomerium"
 	return opts
 }
 
-func testOptionsWithCORS(uri string) *config.Options {
+func testOptionsWithCORS(uri string) config.Options {
 	testPolicy := policy.Policy{
 		From:               "httpbin.corp.example",
 		To:                 uri,
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ func testOptionsWithCORS(uri string) *config.Options {
 	return opts
 }
 
-func testOptionsWithPublicAccess(uri string) *config.Options {
+func testOptionsWithPublicAccess(uri string) config.Options {
 	testPolicy := policy.Policy{
 		From:                             "httpbin.corp.example",
 		To:                               uri,
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ func testOptionsWithPublicAccess(uri string) *config.Options {
 	return opts
 }
 
-func testOptionsWithPublicAccessAndWhitelist(uri string) *config.Options {
+func testOptionsWithPublicAccessAndWhitelist(uri string) config.Options {
 	testPolicy := policy.Policy{
 		From:                             "httpbin.corp.example",
 		To:                               uri,
@@ -155,14 +155,14 @@ func testOptionsWithPublicAccessAndWhitelist(uri string) *config.Options {
 func TestOptions_Validate(t *testing.T) {
 	good := testOptions()
 	badAuthURL := testOptions()
-	badAuthURL.AuthenticateURL = nil
+	badAuthURL.AuthenticateURL = url.URL{}
 	authurl, _ := url.Parse("http://authenticate.corp.beyondperimeter.com")
 	authenticateBadScheme := testOptions()
-	authenticateBadScheme.AuthenticateURL = authurl
+	authenticateBadScheme.AuthenticateURL = *authurl
 	authorizeBadSCheme := testOptions()
-	authorizeBadSCheme.AuthorizeURL = authurl
+	authorizeBadSCheme.AuthorizeURL = *authurl
 	authorizeNil := testOptions()
-	authorizeNil.AuthorizeURL = nil
+	authorizeNil.AuthorizeURL = url.URL{}
 	emptyCookieSecret := testOptions()
 	emptyCookieSecret.CookieSecret = ""
 	invalidCookieSecret := testOptions()
@@ -178,11 +178,11 @@ func TestOptions_Validate(t *testing.T) {
 
 	tests := []struct {
 		name    string
-		o       *config.Options
+		o       config.Options
 		wantErr bool
 	}{
 		{"good - minimum options", good, false},
-		{"nil options", &config.Options{}, true},
+		{"nil options", config.Options{}, true},
 		{"authenticate service url", badAuthURL, true},
 		{"authenticate service url not https", authenticateBadScheme, true},
 		{"authorize service url not https", authorizeBadSCheme, true},
@@ -213,14 +213,13 @@ func TestNew(t *testing.T) {
 	badRoutedProxy.SigningKey = "YmFkIGtleQo="
 	tests := []struct {
 		name      string
-		opts      *config.Options
+		opts      config.Options
 		wantProxy bool
 		numRoutes int
 		wantErr   bool
 	}{
 		{"good", good, true, 1, false},
-		{"empty options", &config.Options{}, false, 0, true},
-		{"nil options", nil, false, 0, true},
+		{"empty options", config.Options{}, false, 0, true},
 		{"short secret/validate sanity check", shortCookieLength, false, 0, true},
 		{"invalid ec key, valid base64 though", badRoutedProxy, false, 0, true},
 	}
@@ -296,7 +295,7 @@ func Test_UpdateOptions(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	tests := []struct {
 		name      string
-		opts      *config.Options
+		opts      config.Options
 		newPolicy []policy.Policy
 		host      string
 		wantErr   bool