default for debian
diff --git a/maas/map.jinja b/maas/map.jinja
index 73aaf37..c76b96e 100644
--- a/maas/map.jinja
+++ b/maas/map.jinja
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 {%- set version = salt['pillar.get']('maas:cluster:version') %}
 
 {%- load_yaml as cluster_defaults %}
+Debian:
+  pkgs: {}
 {%- endload %}
 
 {%- set cluster = salt['grains.filter_by'](cluster_defaults, merge=salt['pillar.get']('maas:cluster', {})) %}