diff --git a/lib/galaxy/managers/configuration.py b/lib/galaxy/managers/configuration.py
index 0f2fae8ea5e1..e6fe7cad9ab5 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/managers/configuration.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/managers/configuration.py
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ def _defaults_to( default ):
             'biostar_url_redirect'      : lambda *a, **c: self.url_for( controller='biostar', action='biostar_redirect',
                                                                         qualified=True ),
 
+            'communication_server_host' : _defaults_to( None ),
+            'communication_server_port' : _defaults_to( None ),
             'allow_user_creation'       : _defaults_to( False ),
             'use_remote_user'           : _defaults_to( None ),
             'remote_user_logout_href'   : _defaults_to( '' ),