diff --git a/lib/hyrax/configuration.rb b/lib/hyrax/configuration.rb
index 0087c92303..5c63e732d0 100644
--- a/lib/hyrax/configuration.rb
+++ b/lib/hyrax/configuration.rb
@@ -168,7 +168,10 @@ def characterization_service
     # Options to pass to the characterization service
     # @!attribute [rw] characterization_options
     #  @return [Hash] of options like {ch12n_tool: :fits_servlet}
-    attr_accessor :characterization_options
+    attr_writer :characterization_options
+    def characterization_options
+      @characterization_options ||= {}
+    end
 
     ##
     # @!attribute [w] characterization_proxy