diff --git a/systemvm/patches/debian/config/opt/cloud/bin/configure.py b/systemvm/patches/debian/config/opt/cloud/bin/configure.py
index ab134fcfca71..fd37f40346eb 100755
--- a/systemvm/patches/debian/config/opt/cloud/bin/configure.py
+++ b/systemvm/patches/debian/config/opt/cloud/bin/configure.py
@@ -531,6 +531,8 @@ def configure_ipsec(self, obj):
         file.addeq(" pfs=%s" % CsHelper.bool_to_yn(obj['dpd']))
         file.addeq(" keyingtries=2")
         file.addeq(" auto=start")
+        if 'encap' not in obj:
+            obj['encap']=False
         file.addeq(" forceencaps=%s" % CsHelper.bool_to_yn(obj['encap']))
         if obj['dpd']:
             file.addeq("  dpddelay=30")