diff --git a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_listeners.erl b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_listeners.erl
index afe3cec5d..fcd952696 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_listeners.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_listeners.erl
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ zone(Opts) ->
     maps:get(zone, Opts, undefined).
 
 limiter(Opts) ->
-    maps:get(limiter, Opts).
+    maps:get(limiter, Opts, #{}).
 
 ssl_opts(Opts) ->
     maps:to_list(