diff --git a/makesite.py b/makesite.py
index a3a7394..47cfbec 100644
--- a/makesite.py
+++ b/makesite.py
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ def main():
                       help='The assets directory to copy')
     parser.add_option('-v', '--variable', action='append', dest='variables',
                       help='Append a variable to the params')
-    parser.add_option('-i', '--ignore', action='append', dest='asset_ignores',
+    parser.add_option('-i', '--ignore', action='append', dest='asset_ignores', default=[],
                       help='Ignore a folder when copying the assets')
     parser.add_option('--include', action='append', dest='includes', default=[],
                       help='Include files and folders into the build')