diff --git a/gprMax/config.py b/gprMax/config.py
index 95d65985..4896028b 100644
--- a/gprMax/config.py
+++ b/gprMax/config.py
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ class SimulationConfig:
 
         # Scenes parameter may not exist if user enters via CLI
         try:
-            self.scenes = args.scenes
+            self.scenes = args.scenes if args.scenes is not None else []
         except AttributeError:
             self.scenes = []
 
diff --git a/gprMax/gprMax.py b/gprMax/gprMax.py
index dd68a2ff..197ed91a 100644
--- a/gprMax/gprMax.py
+++ b/gprMax/gprMax.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ from .utilities.logging import logging_config
 
 # Arguments (used for API) and their default values (used for API and CLI)
 args_defaults = {
-    "scenes": [],
+    "scenes": None,
     "inputfile": None,
     "outputfile": None,
     "n": 1,