diff --git a/mayan/apps/smart_settings/classes.py b/mayan/apps/smart_settings/classes.py
index c26074378e..ca6e8f0e6b 100644
--- a/mayan/apps/smart_settings/classes.py
+++ b/mayan/apps/smart_settings/classes.py
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ class Setting(object):
         if not cls._config_file_cache:
             cls._config_file_cache = read_configuration_file(
                 filepath=settings.CONFIGURATION_FILEPATH
-            )
+            ) or {}
         return cls._config_file_cache
 
     @classmethod
diff --git a/mayan/apps/smart_settings/utils.py b/mayan/apps/smart_settings/utils.py
index 8eae744581..f82cf49124 100644
--- a/mayan/apps/smart_settings/utils.py
+++ b/mayan/apps/smart_settings/utils.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class SettingNamespaceSingleton(object):
                 name='CONFIGURATION_FILEPATH'
             )
 
-            file_data = self.load_config_file(filepath=filepath)
+            file_data = self.load_config_file(filepath=filepath) or {}
             self._cache_file_data = file_data
 
         try: