diff --git a/nix/culr-module.nix b/nix/culr-module.nix
index 44e750b..91f12c0 100644
--- a/nix/culr-module.nix
+++ b/nix/culr-module.nix
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ in {
   options.programs.culr = {
     enable = mkEnableOption "culr";
     pattern = mkOption {
-      type = with types; nullOr (either (listOf int) str);
-      default = null;
+      type = with types; listOf int;
+      default = [];
       description = "colourising pattern";
     };
     palette = mkOption {