diff --git a/aws-serverless-java-container-core/src/main/java/com/amazonaws/serverless/proxy/internal/servlet/FilterHolder.java b/aws-serverless-java-container-core/src/main/java/com/amazonaws/serverless/proxy/internal/servlet/FilterHolder.java
index daa318285..a8446b141 100644
--- a/aws-serverless-java-container-core/src/main/java/com/amazonaws/serverless/proxy/internal/servlet/FilterHolder.java
+++ b/aws-serverless-java-container-core/src/main/java/com/amazonaws/serverless/proxy/internal/servlet/FilterHolder.java
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ public class FilterHolder {
     //-------------------------------------------------------------
 
     private Filter filter;
-    private FilterConfig filterConfig;
+    private FilterConfig filterConfig = new Config();
     private Registration registration;
     private String filterName;
     private Map<String, String> initParameters;