diff --git a/npm/lib/command-handler.js b/npm/lib/command-handler.js
index 4e58f94..4685a7b 100644
--- a/npm/lib/command-handler.js
+++ b/npm/lib/command-handler.js
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ function bundle(nodePublicKey, contractDirectoryPath) {
             ],
             "bin_path": `${overrideConfig?.contract.bin_path}`,
             "bin_args": `${overrideConfig?.contract.bin_args}`,
-            "environment": "",
+            "environment": {},
             "max_input_ledger_offset": 10,
             "consensus": {
                 "mode": "private",