diff --git a/pkg/canary/config_tracker.go b/pkg/canary/config_tracker.go
index 8a920340..ecd16a76 100644
--- a/pkg/canary/config_tracker.go
+++ b/pkg/canary/config_tracker.go
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ func (ct *ConfigTracker) GetTargetConfigs(cd *flaggerv1.Canary) (map[string]Conf
 
 func fieldIsMandatory(p *bool) bool {
 	if p == nil {
-		return false
+		return true
 	}
 	return !*p
 }