diff --git a/infection_monkey/config.py b/infection_monkey/config.py
index f4ca4e89e..eea600ff6 100644
--- a/infection_monkey/config.py
+++ b/infection_monkey/config.py
@@ -184,9 +184,9 @@ class Configuration(object):
     # Auto detect and scan local subnets
     local_network_scan = True
 
-    subnet_scan_list = ['', ]
+    subnet_scan_list = []
 
-    blocked_ips = ['', ]
+    blocked_ips = []
 
     # TCP Scanner
     HTTP_PORTS = [80, 8080, 443,
diff --git a/infection_monkey/example.conf b/infection_monkey/example.conf
index bc0156d8a..45eed24a3 100644
--- a/infection_monkey/example.conf
+++ b/infection_monkey/example.conf
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@
     ],
     "keep_tunnel_open_time": 60,
     "subnet_scan_list": [
-        ""
+        
     ],
-    "blocked_ips": [""],
+    "blocked_ips": [],
     "current_server": "41.50.73.31:5000",
     "alive": true,
     "collect_system_info": true,