diff --git a/aisuite/client.py b/aisuite/client.py
index 1c46c002..a0a1a346 100644
--- a/aisuite/client.py
+++ b/aisuite/client.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 class Client:
     def __init__(
         self,
-        provider_configs: dict = {},
+        provider_configs: dict | None = None,
         extra_param_mode: Literal["strict", "warn", "permissive"] = "warn",
     ):
         """
@@ -47,7 +47,10 @@ def __init__(
                 - "permissive": Allow all params without validation (testing)
         """
         self.providers = {}
-        self.provider_configs = provider_configs
+        if provider_configs:
+            self.provider_configs = provider_configs
+        else:
+            self.provider_configs = {}
         self.extra_param_mode = extra_param_mode
         self.param_validator = ParamValidator(extra_param_mode)
         self._chat = None