diff --git a/homeassistant/components/media_player/vlc.py b/homeassistant/components/media_player/vlc.py
index 7ec0fb0ef65..711c8c74422 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/media_player/vlc.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/media_player/vlc.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ SUPPORT_VLC = SUPPORT_PAUSE | SUPPORT_VOLUME_SET | SUPPORT_VOLUME_MUTE | \
 
 PLATFORM_SCHEMA = PLATFORM_SCHEMA.extend({
     vol.Optional(CONF_NAME): cv.string,
-    vol.Optional(CONF_ARGUMENTS): cv.string,
+    vol.Optional(CONF_ARGUMENTS, default=''): cv.string,
 })