diff --git a/server/handle_actor_get_preferences.go b/server/handle_actor_get_preferences.go
--- a/server/handle_actor_get_preferences.go
+++ b/server/handle_actor_get_preferences.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ repo := e.Get("repo").(*models.RepoActor)
 
 	var prefs map[string]any
 	err := json.Unmarshal(repo.Preferences, &prefs)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err != nil || prefs == nil {
 		prefs = map[string]any{
 			"preferences": map[string]any{},
 		}