diff --git a/source/common/json/json_loader.cc b/source/common/json/json_loader.cc
index 6bf2feda67614..9eff4e09493e1 100644
--- a/source/common/json/json_loader.cc
+++ b/source/common/json/json_loader.cc
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ class ObjectImplBase : public Object {
   static const rapidjson::Value empty_rapid_json_value_;
 };
 
-const rapidjson::Value ObjectImplBase::empty_rapid_json_value_;
+const rapidjson::Value ObjectImplBase::empty_rapid_json_value_(rapidjson::kObjectType);
 
 /**
  * Holds the root Object reference.