diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/settings.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/settings.js
index 989b83d9b..db5057ab3 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/settings.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/settings.js
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ var persistentSettings = {
                 userSettings = globalSettings.users || {};
             }
             else {
+                globalSettings = {};
                 userSettings = {};
             }
         });