diff --git a/pkg/tools/shell.go b/pkg/tools/shell.go
index 17ce529b6..8e8d75dd8 100644
--- a/pkg/tools/shell.go
+++ b/pkg/tools/shell.go
@@ -102,7 +102,10 @@ func NewExecToolWithConfig(workingDir string, restrict bool, config *config.Conf
 		denyPatterns = append(denyPatterns, defaultDenyPatterns...)
 	}
 
-	var allowPatterns []string = config.Agents.Defaults.AllowPatterns
+	var allowPatterns []string
+	if config != nil {
+		allowPatterns = config.Agents.Defaults.AllowPatterns
+	}
 	var allowRegex []*regexp.Regexp
 	if len(allowPatterns) > 0 {
 		allowRegex = make([]*regexp.Regexp, 0, len(allowPatterns))