diff --git a/src/modules/module-protocol-pulse/module-loopback.c b/src/modules/module-protocol-pulse/module-loopback.c
index be47ed12e..79d5a842c 100644
--- a/src/modules/module-protocol-pulse/module-loopback.c
+++ b/src/modules/module-protocol-pulse/module-loopback.c
@@ -210,11 +210,6 @@ static struct module *create_module_loopback(struct impl *impl, const char *argu
 	struct spa_audio_info_raw info = { 0 };
 	int res;
 
-	if (argument == NULL) {
-		res = -EINVAL;
-		goto out;
-	}
-
 	props = pw_properties_new(NULL, NULL);
 	capture_props = pw_properties_new(NULL, NULL);
 	playback_props = pw_properties_new(NULL, NULL);
@@ -222,7 +217,8 @@ static struct module *create_module_loopback(struct impl *impl, const char *argu
 		res = -EINVAL;
 		goto out;
 	}
-	add_props(props, argument);
+	if (argument)
+		add_props(props, argument);
 
 	/* The following modargs are not implemented:
 	 * adjust_time, max_latency_msec, fast_adjust_threshold_msec: these are just not relevant
diff --git a/src/modules/module-protocol-pulse/module.c b/src/modules/module-protocol-pulse/module.c
index 77f804c4f..58a874ad3 100644
--- a/src/modules/module-protocol-pulse/module.c
+++ b/src/modules/module-protocol-pulse/module.c
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ static struct module *create_module(struct client *client, const char *name, con
 		return NULL;
 	}
 	module->name = strdup(name);
-	module->args = strdup(args);
+	module->args = args ? strdup(args) : NULL;
 	module->idx |= MODULE_FLAG;
 	return module;
 }