diff --git a/lib/tests/test.js b/lib/tests/test.js
index 1e21442c..aa0ea821 100644
--- a/lib/tests/test.js
+++ b/lib/tests/test.js
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ class Test {
       };
     }
     if (!options.contracts) {
-      throw new Error(__('No contracts specified in the options'));
+      options.contracts = {};
     }
     self.ready = false;
 
diff --git a/test_apps/test_app/test/simple_storage_deploy_spec.js b/test_apps/test_app/test/simple_storage_deploy_spec.js
index b74acc33..e4d24241 100644
--- a/test_apps/test_app/test/simple_storage_deploy_spec.js
+++ b/test_apps/test_app/test/simple_storage_deploy_spec.js
@@ -2,13 +2,7 @@
 const SimpleStorage = embark.require('Embark/contracts/SimpleStorage');
 let accounts;
 
-config({
-  contracts: {
-    "SimpleStorage": {
-      args: [100]
-    }
-  }
-}, (err, theAccounts) => {
+config({}, (err, theAccounts) => {
   accounts = theAccounts;
 });