diff --git a/Development/nmos/model.h b/Development/nmos/model.h
index d9c25559..3a9931d8 100644
--- a/Development/nmos/model.h
+++ b/Development/nmos/model.h
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ namespace nmos
         mutable nmos::condition_variable shutdown_condition;
 
         // application-wide configuration
-        nmos::settings settings;
+        nmos::settings settings = web::json::value::object();
 
         // flag indicating whether shutdown has been initiated
         bool shutdown = false;