diff --git a/metplus/wrappers/tc_pairs_wrapper.py b/metplus/wrappers/tc_pairs_wrapper.py
index 206a6e859..bee533ffd 100755
--- a/metplus/wrappers/tc_pairs_wrapper.py
+++ b/metplus/wrappers/tc_pairs_wrapper.py
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ def _handle_diag_info_map(self):
             'diag_source': 'string',
             'track_source': 'string',
             'field_source': 'string',
-            'match_to_track': 'list',
+            'match_to_track': ('list', 'allow_empty'),
             'diag_name': ('list', 'allow_empty'),
         }
         return_code = add_met_config_dict_list(config=self.config,