diff --git a/crates/goose/src/prompts/system.md b/crates/goose/src/prompts/system.md
index 5a0c55cf94..6d8d343199 100644
--- a/crates/goose/src/prompts/system.md
+++ b/crates/goose/src/prompts/system.md
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ No extensions are defined. You should let the user know that they should add ext
 {{suggest_disable}}
 {% endif %}
 
-{{tool_selection_strategy}}
+{{tool_selection_strategy|default("")}}
 {% if enable_subagents %}
 
 # sub agents