diff --git a/system/Debug/Exceptions.php b/system/Debug/Exceptions.php
index 04556c5c4f20..c594bc4eac9f 100644
--- a/system/Debug/Exceptions.php
+++ b/system/Debug/Exceptions.php
@@ -70,6 +70,11 @@ public function __construct(ExceptionsConfig $config, IncomingRequest $request,
         $this->config   = $config;
         $this->request  = $request;
         $this->response = $response;
+
+        // workaround for upgraded users
+        if (! isset($this->config->sensitiveDataInTrace)) {
+            $this->config->sensitiveDataInTrace = [];
+        }
     }
 
     /**