diff --git a/src/dstack/_internal/core/compatibility/gateways.py b/src/dstack/_internal/core/compatibility/gateways.py
index b9fe16383..2b9ed18dd 100644
--- a/src/dstack/_internal/core/compatibility/gateways.py
+++ b/src/dstack/_internal/core/compatibility/gateways.py
@@ -32,4 +32,6 @@ def _get_gateway_configuration_excludes(
     configuration_excludes: IncludeExcludeDictType = {}
     if configuration.tags is None:
         configuration_excludes["tags"] = True
+    if configuration.router is None:
+        configuration_excludes["router"] = True
     return configuration_excludes