diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/config/basics/BasicDeviceConfig.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/config/basics/BasicDeviceConfig.java
index 93ca16e..6401ab4 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/config/basics/BasicDeviceConfig.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/config/basics/BasicDeviceConfig.java
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
      * @return device type override
      */
     public Device.Type type() {
-        return get(TYPE, Device.Type.SWITCH, Device.Type.class);
+        return get(TYPE, null, Device.Type.class);
     }
 
     /**