diff --git a/jenkins/files/jenkins_jobs.ini b/jenkins/files/jenkins_jobs.ini
index 332d273..577badb 100644
--- a/jenkins/files/jenkins_jobs.ini
+++ b/jenkins/files/jenkins_jobs.ini
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [job_builder]
 recursive=True
-{%- if pillar.jenkins.job_builder.allow_empty_variables is defined and pillar.jenkins.job_builder.allow_empty_variables %}
+{%- if pillar.jenkins.job_builder.get('allow_empty_variables', False) %}
 allow_empty_variables=true
 {%- endif %}