diff --git a/conda_smithy/templates/appveyor.yml.tmpl b/conda_smithy/templates/appveyor.yml.tmpl
index 52cb4b0d4..f1de89f2e 100644
--- a/conda_smithy/templates/appveyor.yml.tmpl
+++ b/conda_smithy/templates/appveyor.yml.tmpl
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ environment:
   # overridden in the matrix definition where appropriate.
   CONDA_PY: "27"
 
-  {%- for name, hashed_secure in appveyor.secure | dictsort %}
+  {%- for name, hashed_secure in (appveyor.secure or {}) | dictsort %}
   {{ name }}:
     # The {{ name }} secure variable. This is defined canonically in conda-forge.yml.
     secure: {{ hashed_secure }}