diff --git a/stack_orchestrator/deploy/spec.py b/stack_orchestrator/deploy/spec.py
index 8c2f37ea..cbec8ae5 100644
--- a/stack_orchestrator/deploy/spec.py
+++ b/stack_orchestrator/deploy/spec.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class Spec:
         return self.obj.get(constants.volumes_key, {})
 
     def get_configmaps(self):
-        return self.obj.get(constants.configmaps_key)
+        return self.obj.get(constants.configmaps_key, {})
 
     def get_container_resources(self):
         return Resources(self.obj.get(constants.resources_key, {}).get("containers", {}))