diff --git a/monkey/monkey_island/cc/models/machine.py b/monkey/monkey_island/cc/models/machine.py
index 686e677b6..b09e8bf99 100644
--- a/monkey/monkey_island/cc/models/machine.py
+++ b/monkey/monkey_island/cc/models/machine.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class Machine(MutableInfectionMonkeyBaseModel):
     hardware_id: Optional[HardwareID]
     """An identifier generated by the agent that uniquely identifies a machine"""
 
-    network_interfaces: Sequence[IPv4Interface]
+    network_interfaces: Sequence[IPv4Interface] = Field(default_factory=tuple)
     """The machine's networking interfaces"""
 
     operating_system: Optional[OperatingSystem]
diff --git a/monkey/tests/unit_tests/monkey_island/cc/models/test_machine.py b/monkey/tests/unit_tests/monkey_island/cc/models/test_machine.py
index 8414cd9d6..a2e712a25 100644
--- a/monkey/tests/unit_tests/monkey_island/cc/models/test_machine.py
+++ b/monkey/tests/unit_tests/monkey_island/cc/models/test_machine.py
@@ -141,6 +141,15 @@ def test_network_interfaces_sequence_is_immutable():
     assert not isinstance(m.network_interfaces, MutableSequence)
 
 
+def test_network_interfaces_default():
+    missing_network_interfaces_dict = MACHINE_OBJECT_DICT.copy()
+    del missing_network_interfaces_dict["network_interfaces"]
+
+    m = Machine(**missing_network_interfaces_dict)
+
+    assert len(m.network_interfaces) == 0
+
+
 def test_operating_system_set_valid_value():
     m = Machine(**MACHINE_OBJECT_DICT)