diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 784588a5..527145a5 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 	_ "net/http/pprof"
 )
 
-const version = "2.1.0.rc1"
+const version = "2.1.0"
 
 type ctxKey string
 
diff --git a/vips.h b/vips.h
index 38ad0f1b..ea919ed2 100644
--- a/vips.h
+++ b/vips.h
@@ -109,10 +109,9 @@ vips_get_exif_orientation(VipsImage *image) {
 
 	if (
 		vips_image_get_typeof(image, EXIF_ORIENTATION) != 0 &&
-		!vips_image_get_string(image, EXIF_ORIENTATION, &orientation)
+		vips_image_get_string(image, EXIF_ORIENTATION, &orientation) == 0
 	) return atoi(&orientation[0]);
 
-  vips_error("vips_get_exif_orientation", "Can't get EXIF orientation");
 	return 1;
 }