diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 4c0ac7a0..cb0aa422 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -198,10 +198,10 @@ class KeyringController extends EventEmitter {
    * @param {Object} opts - The constructor options for the keyring.
    * @returns {Promise<Keyring>} The new keyring.
    */
-  addNewKeyring(type, opts = {}) {
+  addNewKeyring(type, opts) {
     const Keyring = this.getKeyringClassForType(type);
     const keyring = new Keyring(opts);
-    if (!opts.mnemonic && type === KEYRINGS_TYPE_MAP.HD_KEYRING) {
+    if ((!opts || !opts.mnemonic) && type === KEYRINGS_TYPE_MAP.HD_KEYRING) {
       keyring.generateRandomMnemonic();
       keyring.addAccounts();
     }