diff --git a/src/device/serial_passthrough.c b/src/device/serial_passthrough.c
index 256f9eaa9..3da2e09ff 100644
--- a/src/device/serial_passthrough.c
+++ b/src/device/serial_passthrough.c
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ static const device_config_t serial_passthrough_config[] = {
         .name           = "host_serial_path",
         .description    = "Host Serial Device",
         .type           = CONFIG_SERPORT,
-        .default_string = NULL,
+        .default_string = "",
         .default_int    = 0,
         .file_filter    = NULL,
         .spinner        = { 0 },