diff --git a/salt/files/master.d/reactor.conf b/salt/files/master.d/reactor.conf
index 881a82c..9c8a4b7 100644
--- a/salt/files/master.d/reactor.conf
+++ b/salt/files/master.d/reactor.conf
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # This file is managed by Salt! Do not edit by hand!
 #
 {# The parameter reactor is kept for backward compatibility -#}
-{%- set reactors = salt['pillar.get']('salt:reactor') -%}
+{%- set reactors = salt['pillar.get']('salt:reactor', []) -%}
 {%- set reactors = salt['pillar.get']('salt:reactors', default=reactors, merge=True) -%}
 {%- set reactors = salt['pillar.get']('salt:master:reactors', default=reactors, merge=True) -%}
 
diff --git a/salt/files/minion.d/reactor.conf b/salt/files/minion.d/reactor.conf
index 4022fdc..d0f0a39 100644
--- a/salt/files/minion.d/reactor.conf
+++ b/salt/files/minion.d/reactor.conf
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # This file is managed by Salt! Do not edit by hand!
 #
 {# The parameter reactor is kept for backward compatibility -#}
-{%- set reactors = salt['pillar.get']('salt:reactor') -%}
+{%- set reactors = salt['pillar.get']('salt:reactor', []) -%}
 {%- set reactors = salt['pillar.get']('salt:reactors', default=reactors, merge=True) -%}
 {%- set reactors = salt['pillar.get']('salt:minion:reactors', default=reactors, merge=True) -%}