diff --git a/src/xml2db/model.py b/src/xml2db/model.py
index fd666d4..b900bb0 100644
--- a/src/xml2db/model.py
+++ b/src/xml2db/model.py
@@ -194,6 +194,8 @@ def _create_table_model(
             A data model instance.
         """
         table_config = self.tables_config.get(table_name, {})
+        if table_config is None:
+            table_config = {}
         if table_config.get("reuse", True):
             return DataModelTableReused(
                 table_name,
diff --git a/tests/sample_models/models.py b/tests/sample_models/models.py
index 965b1db..50cd865 100644
--- a/tests/sample_models/models.py
+++ b/tests/sample_models/models.py
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ def wrapped():
             {
                 "config": {
                     "tables": {
-                        "shiporder": {"fields": {"orderperson": {"transform": False}}}
+                        "shiporder": {"fields": {"orderperson": {"transform": False}}},
+                        "item": None,
                     },
                     "record_hash_column_name": "record_hash",
                     "metadata_columns": [