diff --git a/local/network.go b/local/network.go
index 9ed7cb72..b892a9da 100644
--- a/local/network.go
+++ b/local/network.go
@@ -418,8 +418,17 @@ func (ln *localNetwork) loadConfig(ctx context.Context, networkConfig network.Co
 	ln.flags = networkConfig.Flags
 	ln.binaryPath = networkConfig.BinaryPath
 	ln.chainConfigFiles = networkConfig.ChainConfigFiles
+	if ln.chainConfigFiles == nil {
+		ln.chainConfigFiles = map[string]string{}
+	}
 	ln.upgradeConfigFiles = networkConfig.UpgradeConfigFiles
+	if ln.upgradeConfigFiles == nil {
+		ln.upgradeConfigFiles = map[string]string{}
+	}
 	ln.subnetConfigFiles = networkConfig.SubnetConfigFiles
+	if ln.subnetConfigFiles == nil {
+		ln.subnetConfigFiles = map[string]string{}
+	}
 
 	// Sort node configs so beacons start first
 	var nodeConfigs []node.Config