diff --git a/scripts/config.py b/scripts/config.py
index 382831acff..9105949450 100755
--- a/scripts/config.py
+++ b/scripts/config.py
@@ -361,7 +361,8 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
                                            found, unless --force is passed.
                                            """)
         parser_set.add_argument('symbol', metavar='SYMBOL')
-        parser_set.add_argument('value', metavar='VALUE', nargs='?')
+        parser_set.add_argument('value', metavar='VALUE', nargs='?',
+                                default='')
         parser_unset = subparsers.add_parser('unset',
                                              help="""Comment out the #define
                                              for SYMBOL. Do nothing if none