diff --git a/operate/config.py b/operate/config.py
index 28b6a9ab..effbf672 100644
--- a/operate/config.py
+++ b/operate/config.py
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ class Config:
     def __init__(self):
         load_dotenv()
         self.verbose = False
-        self.openai_api_key = os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY")
-        self.google_api_key = os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY")
+        self.openai_api_key = os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY", "")
+        self.google_api_key = os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY", "")
 
     def initialize_openai(self):
         if self.openai_api_key: