diff --git a/lib/contracts/code_generator.js b/lib/contracts/code_generator.js
index 41a6b891..046824d7 100644
--- a/lib/contracts/code_generator.js
+++ b/lib/contracts/code_generator.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class CodeGenerator {
     this.storageConfig = options.storageConfig || {};
     this.communicationConfig = options.communicationConfig || {};
     this.namesystemConfig = options.namesystemConfig || {};
-    this.env = options.env;
+    this.env = options.env || '';
     // TODO: this should also be removed and use events instead
     this.contractsManager = options.contractsManager;
     this.plugins = options.plugins;