diff --git a/src/main/java/world/bentobox/limits/objects/IslandBlockCount.java b/src/main/java/world/bentobox/limits/objects/IslandBlockCount.java
index 7c6fd4f..4b86bc0 100644
--- a/src/main/java/world/bentobox/limits/objects/IslandBlockCount.java
+++ b/src/main/java/world/bentobox/limits/objects/IslandBlockCount.java
@@ -78,6 +78,9 @@ public class IslandBlockCount implements DataObject {
      * @return the blockCount
      */
     public Map<Material, Integer> getBlockCounts() {
+        if (blockCounts == null) {
+            blockCounts = new EnumMap<>(Material.class);
+        }
         return blockCounts;
     }