diff --git a/utils/watchcat/files/watchcat.init b/utils/watchcat/files/watchcat.init
index a21712e1f5..dcaa8ece5b 100644
--- a/utils/watchcat/files/watchcat.init
+++ b/utils/watchcat/files/watchcat.init
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ config_watchcat() {
 	config_get pingperiod "$1" pingperiod "60"
 	config_get forcedelay "$1" forcedelay "60"
 	config_get pingsize "$1" pingsize "standard"
-	config_get interface "$1" interface # CHEK only if need a default?
-	config_get mmifacename "$1" mmifacename # FIX HERE need a default?
+	config_get interface "$1" interface
+	config_get mmifacename "$1" mmifacename "null"
 	config_get_bool unlockbands "$1" unlockbands "0"
 	config_get addressfamily "$1" addressfamily "any"
 	config_get script "$1" script
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ config_watchcat() {
 				append_string "warn" "pingperiod cannot be a negative value." "; "
 			fi
 
-			if [ "$mmifacename" != "" ] && [ "$period" -lt 30 ]; then
+			if [ "$mmifacename" != "null" ] && [ "$period" -lt 30 ]; then
 				append_string "error" "Check interval is less than 30s. For robust operation with ModemManager modem interfaces it is recommended to set the period to at least 30s."
 			fi
 		fi