diff --git a/nym-node/src/config/mixnode.rs b/nym-node/src/config/mixnode.rs
index f5a56e128a..c938610255 100644
--- a/nym-node/src/config/mixnode.rs
+++ b/nym-node/src/config/mixnode.rs
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ pub struct Verloc {
     /// will use.
     /// Useful when the node is behind a proxy.
     #[serde(deserialize_with = "de_maybe_port")]
+    #[serde(default)]
     pub announce_port: Option<u16>,
 
     #[serde(default)]
diff --git a/nym-node/src/config/mod.rs b/nym-node/src/config/mod.rs
index 60ed79ab20..65ca8983d7 100644
--- a/nym-node/src/config/mod.rs
+++ b/nym-node/src/config/mod.rs
@@ -421,6 +421,7 @@ pub struct Mixnet {
     /// will use.
     /// Useful when the node is behind a proxy.
     #[serde(deserialize_with = "de_maybe_port")]
+    #[serde(default)]
     pub announce_port: Option<u16>,
 
     /// Addresses to nym APIs from which the node gets the view of the network.