diff --git a/scripts/runfvp b/scripts/runfvp
index 939352b5..e4b00abc 100755
--- a/scripts/runfvp
+++ b/scripts/runfvp
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ def start_fvp(args, config, extra_args):
         fvp.start(config, extra_args, args.terminals)
 
         if args.console:
-            expected_terminal = config["consoles"]["default"]
-            if not expected_terminal:
+            expected_terminal = config["consoles"].get("default")
+            if expected_terminal is None:
                 logger.error("--console used but FVP_CONSOLE not set in machine configuration")
                 return 1
             port_stdout, log_stdout = itertools.tee(fvp.stdout, 2)