diff --git a/modules/dnsmasq/default.nix b/modules/dnsmasq/default.nix
index b8ad7535..9b4bb3ca 100644
--- a/modules/dnsmasq/default.nix
+++ b/modules/dnsmasq/default.nix
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ in {
         type = types.listOf types.str;
       };
       hosts = mkOption {
+        default = {};
         type = types.attrsOf (types.submodule {
           options = {
             mac = mkOption {