diff --git a/src/main/java/com/sk89q/worldguard/bukkit/WorldConfiguration.java b/src/main/java/com/sk89q/worldguard/bukkit/WorldConfiguration.java
index 07907f2d..ac64eb97 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/sk89q/worldguard/bukkit/WorldConfiguration.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/sk89q/worldguard/bukkit/WorldConfiguration.java
@@ -257,12 +257,11 @@ private List<String> getKeys(String node) {
         List<String> res = parentConfig.getKeys(node);
 
         if (res == null || res.size() == 0) {
-            parentConfig.setProperty(node, new ArrayList<String>());
-        }
-
-        if (config.getProperty(node) != null) {
             res = config.getKeys(node);
         }
+        if (res == null) {
+            res = new ArrayList<String>();
+        }
 
         return res;
     }