diff --git a/src/statd/python/yanger/ietf_hardware.py b/src/statd/python/yanger/ietf_hardware.py
index 75e53079..74bf46cc 100644
--- a/src/statd/python/yanger/ietf_hardware.py
+++ b/src/statd/python/yanger/ietf_hardware.py
@@ -668,7 +668,7 @@ def wifi_radio_components():
 
 
 def operational():
-    systemjson = HOST.read_json("/run/system.json")
+    systemjson = HOST.read_json("/run/system.json", {})
 
     return {
         "ietf-hardware:hardware": {