diff --git a/x/fbridge/keeper/keeper.go b/x/fbridge/keeper/keeper.go
index 33cc2ed914..8e50b43e72 100644
--- a/x/fbridge/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/x/fbridge/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func (k Keeper) GetRoleMetadata(ctx sdk.Context) types.RoleMetadata {
 	data := types.RoleMetadata{}
 	bz := memStore.Get(types.KeyMemRoleMetadata)
 	if bz == nil {
-		panic("role metadata must be set at genesis")
+		return types.RoleMetadata{}
 	}
 	k.cdc.MustUnmarshal(bz, &data)
 	return data