diff --git a/gns3server/modules/iou/iou_vm.py b/gns3server/modules/iou/iou_vm.py
index 1bc6a9c0..d8d47a33 100644
--- a/gns3server/modules/iou/iou_vm.py
+++ b/gns3server/modules/iou/iou_vm.py
@@ -996,6 +996,9 @@ class IOUVM(BaseVM):
         try:
             script_file = os.path.join(self.working_dir, "initial-config.cfg")
 
+            if initial_config is None:
+                initial_config = ''
+
             # We disallow erasing the initial config file
             if len(initial_config) == 0 and os.path.exists(script_file):
                 return
@@ -1068,7 +1071,6 @@ class IOUVM(BaseVM):
             raise IOUError("Packet capture is already activated on {adapter_number}/{port_number}".format(adapter_number=adapter_number,
                                                                                                           port_number=port_number))
 
-
         nio.startPacketCapture(output_file, data_link_type)
         log.info('IOU "{name}" [{id}]: starting packet capture on {adapter_number}/{port_number}'.format(name=self._name,
                                                                                                          id=self._id,