A method of decoding is provided. The method includes receiving a sub-bitstream having a sequence parameter set (SPS) with a decoded picture buffer (DPB) syntax structure for an output layer set (OLS) with only one layer; setting a number of layers in the OLS equal to one based on the OLS having the only one layer; obtaining the DPB syntax structure for the OLS with the one layer from the SPS when the number of layers in the OLS has been set equal to one; and decoding a picture from the only one layer using the DPB syntax structure to obtain a decoded picture. A corresponding method of encoding is also provided.