diff --git a/tailbone/app.py b/tailbone/app.py
index 2d2f86fe..0eb2590c 100644
--- a/tailbone/app.py
+++ b/tailbone/app.py
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ def make_pyramid_config(settings):
 
     # TODO: This can finally be removed once all CRUD/index views have been
     # converted to use the new master view etc.
-    for label, perms in settings.get('edbob.permissions'):
+    for label, perms in settings.get('edbob.permissions', []):
         groupkey = label.lower().replace(' ', '_')
         config.add_tailbone_permission_group(groupkey, label)
         for key, label in perms: