diff --git a/jupyterlab_git/handlers.py b/jupyterlab_git/handlers.py
index 3d6ab1235..bf37454b8 100644
--- a/jupyterlab_git/handlers.py
+++ b/jupyterlab_git/handlers.py
@@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ async def post(self, path: str = ""):
         """
         POST get (if no options are passed) or set configuration options
         """
-        data = self.get_json_body()
+        data = self.get_json_body() or {}
         options = data.get("options", {})
 
         filtered_options = {k: v for k, v in options.items() if k in ALLOWED_OPTIONS}