diff --git a/lib/cartodb/models/dataview/formula.js b/lib/cartodb/models/dataview/formula.js
index 4c7f185b..36b5369b 100644
--- a/lib/cartodb/models/dataview/formula.js
+++ b/lib/cartodb/models/dataview/formula.js
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-var _ = require('underscore');
 var BaseDataview = require('./base');
 var debug = require('debug')('windshaft:dataview:formula');
 
@@ -51,7 +50,7 @@ var TYPE = 'formula';
  }
  */
 function Formula(query, options = {}, queries = {}) {
-    if (!_.isString(options.operation)) {
+    if (typeof options.operation !== 'string') {
         throw new Error('Formula expects `operation` in widget options');
     }
 
@@ -59,7 +58,7 @@ function Formula(query, options = {}, queries = {}) {
         throw new Error("Formula does not support '" + options.operation + "' operation");
     }
 
-    if (options.operation !== 'count' && !_.isString(options.column)) {
+    if (options.operation !== 'count' && typeof options.column !== 'string') {
         throw new Error('Formula expects `column` in widget options');
     }