diff --git a/manifests/navbar.pp b/manifests/navbar.pp
index c3d6ec2..f6799b8 100644
--- a/manifests/navbar.pp
+++ b/manifests/navbar.pp
@@ -23,11 +23,11 @@
         'clusters',
         'interactive apps',
       ] +
-      $navbar_items
+      pick($navbar_items, [])
       + [
         'sessions',
       ],
-      help_bar => $helpbar_items + [
+      help_bar => pick($helpbar_items, []) + [
         'develop',
         'help',
         'user',