diff --git a/src/lib/waku_relay/index.ts b/src/lib/waku_relay/index.ts
index 1c52277cf5..1011088903 100644
--- a/src/lib/waku_relay/index.ts
+++ b/src/lib/waku_relay/index.ts
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ export class WakuRelay extends Gossipsub {
   ) {
     super(
       libp2p,
-      Object.assign(options, {
+      Object.assign(options ?? {}, {
         // Ensure that no signature is included nor expected in the messages.
         globalSignaturePolicy: SignaturePolicy.StrictNoSign,
       })