diff --git a/overviewer_core/settingsDefinition.py b/overviewer_core/settingsDefinition.py
index 91c2e9b..44af092 100644
--- a/overviewer_core/settingsDefinition.py
+++ b/overviewer_core/settingsDefinition.py
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ renders = Setting(required=True, default=util.OrderedDict(),
             "changelist": Setting(required=False, validator=validateStr, default=None),
             "markers": Setting(required=False, validator=validateMarkers, default=[]),
             "showspawn": Setting(required=False, validator=validateBool, default=True),
-            "base": Setting(required=False, validator=validateStr, default=None),
+            "base": Setting(required=False, validator=validateStr, default=""),
 
             # Remove this eventually (once people update their configs)
             "worldname": Setting(required=False, default=None,