diff --git a/src/corelibs/config_handling/settings_loader.py b/src/corelibs/config_handling/settings_loader.py
index 31dcecd..f7257c2 100644
--- a/src/corelibs/config_handling/settings_loader.py
+++ b/src/corelibs/config_handling/settings_loader.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class SettingsLoader:
     def load_settings(
         self,
         config_id: str,
-        config_validate: dict[str, list[str]],
+        config_validate: dict[str, list[str]] | None = None,
         allow_not_exist: bool = False
     ) -> dict[str, str]:
         """
@@ -97,6 +97,8 @@ class SettingsLoader:
         settings: dict[str, dict[str, Any]] = {
             config_id: {},
         }
+        if config_validate is None:
+            config_validate = {}
         if self.config_parser is not None:
             try:
                 # load all data as is, validation is done afterwards
diff --git a/test-run/config_handling/settings_loader.py b/test-run/config_handling/settings_loader.py
index fcb8221..59e24f5 100644
--- a/test-run/config_handling/settings_loader.py
+++ b/test-run/config_handling/settings_loader.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def main():
 
     try:
         config_load = 'LoadTest'
-        config_data = sl.load_settings(config_load, {})
+        config_data = sl.load_settings(config_load)
         print(f"[{config_load}] Load: {config_load} -> {dump_data(config_data)}")
     except ValueError as e:
         print(f"Could not load settings: {e}")
diff --git a/uv.lock b/uv.lock
index 0ee5020..3e4e1eb 100644
--- a/uv.lock
+++ b/uv.lock
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ wheels = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "corelibs"
-version = "0.22.4"
+version = "0.22.5"
 source = { editable = "." }
 dependencies = [
     { name = "jmespath" },