diff --git a/vm/src/serde/deserialize_program.rs b/vm/src/serde/deserialize_program.rs
index c15b974f06..3376d7e712 100644
--- a/vm/src/serde/deserialize_program.rs
+++ b/vm/src/serde/deserialize_program.rs
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ pub struct ProgramJson {
     pub identifiers: HashMap<String, Identifier>,
     pub hints: BTreeMap<usize, Vec<HintParams>>,
     pub reference_manager: ReferenceManager,
+    #[serde(default)]
     pub attributes: Vec<Attribute>,
     pub debug_info: Option<DebugInfo>,
 }