diff --git a/portainer/rootfs/etc/services.d/portainer/run b/portainer/rootfs/etc/services.d/portainer/run
index 8ce1542c9..9740e0f3f 100644
--- a/portainer/rootfs/etc/services.d/portainer/run
+++ b/portainer/rootfs/etc/services.d/portainer/run
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ fi
 
 # Set password
 CURRENTPASSWORD=""
-PASSWORD=$(bashio::config 'password')
+PASSWORD=${(bashio::config 'password'):="empty"}
 touch "/data/portainer_password"
 CURRENTPASSWORD=$( cat /data/portainer_password )