diff --git a/homeassistant/components/counter/__init__.py b/homeassistant/components/counter/__init__.py
index 98329bc417a..5580518a9a3 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/counter/__init__.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/counter/__init__.py
@@ -32,10 +32,17 @@ SERVICE_RESET = "reset"
 SERVICE_CONFIGURE = "configure"
 
 
+def _none_to_empty_dict(value):
+    if value is None:
+        return {}
+    return value
+
+
 CONFIG_SCHEMA = vol.Schema(
     {
         DOMAIN: cv.schema_with_slug_keys(
-            vol.Any(
+            vol.All(
+                _none_to_empty_dict,
                 {
                     vol.Optional(CONF_ICON): cv.icon,
                     vol.Optional(
@@ -51,7 +58,6 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = vol.Schema(
                     vol.Optional(CONF_RESTORE, default=True): cv.boolean,
                     vol.Optional(CONF_STEP, default=DEFAULT_STEP): cv.positive_int,
                 },
-                None,
             )
         )
     },
@@ -70,12 +76,12 @@ async def async_setup(hass, config):
             cfg = {}
 
         name = cfg.get(CONF_NAME)
-        initial = cfg.get(CONF_INITIAL)
-        restore = cfg.get(CONF_RESTORE)
-        step = cfg.get(CONF_STEP)
+        initial = cfg[CONF_INITIAL]
+        restore = cfg[CONF_RESTORE]
+        step = cfg[CONF_STEP]
         icon = cfg.get(CONF_ICON)
-        minimum = cfg.get(CONF_MINIMUM)
-        maximum = cfg.get(CONF_MAXIMUM)
+        minimum = cfg[CONF_MINIMUM]
+        maximum = cfg[CONF_MAXIMUM]
 
         entities.append(
             Counter(object_id, name, initial, minimum, maximum, restore, step, icon)
diff --git a/tests/components/counter/test_init.py b/tests/components/counter/test_init.py
index 3e85a080806..f5ff825e7fb 100644
--- a/tests/components/counter/test_init.py
+++ b/tests/components/counter/test_init.py
@@ -3,11 +3,15 @@
 import logging
 
 from homeassistant.components.counter import (
+    ATTR_INITIAL,
+    ATTR_STEP,
     CONF_ICON,
     CONF_INITIAL,
     CONF_NAME,
     CONF_RESTORE,
     CONF_STEP,
+    DEFAULT_INITIAL,
+    DEFAULT_STEP,
     DOMAIN,
 )
 from homeassistant.const import ATTR_FRIENDLY_NAME, ATTR_ICON
@@ -48,6 +52,7 @@ async def test_config_options(hass):
                 CONF_RESTORE: False,
                 CONF_STEP: 5,
             },
+            "test_3": None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -56,14 +61,16 @@ async def test_config_options(hass):
 
     _LOGGER.debug("ENTITIES: %s", hass.states.async_entity_ids())
 
-    assert count_start + 2 == len(hass.states.async_entity_ids())
+    assert count_start + 3 == len(hass.states.async_entity_ids())
     await hass.async_block_till_done()
 
     state_1 = hass.states.get("counter.test_1")
     state_2 = hass.states.get("counter.test_2")
+    state_3 = hass.states.get("counter.test_3")
 
     assert state_1 is not None
     assert state_2 is not None
+    assert state_3 is not None
 
     assert 0 == int(state_1.state)
     assert ATTR_ICON not in state_1.attributes
@@ -73,6 +80,9 @@ async def test_config_options(hass):
     assert "Hello World" == state_2.attributes.get(ATTR_FRIENDLY_NAME)
     assert "mdi:work" == state_2.attributes.get(ATTR_ICON)
 
+    assert DEFAULT_INITIAL == state_3.attributes.get(ATTR_INITIAL)
+    assert DEFAULT_STEP == state_3.attributes.get(ATTR_STEP)
+
 
 async def test_methods(hass):
     """Test increment, decrement, and reset methods."""