diff --git a/seahub/templates/base_for_react.html b/seahub/templates/base_for_react.html
index 12d0661365..8f1349df23 100644
--- a/seahub/templates/base_for_react.html
+++ b/seahub/templates/base_for_react.html
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@
             repoPasswordMinLength: {{repo_password_min_length}},
             canAddPublicRepo: {% if can_add_public_repo %} true {% else %} false {% endif %},
             canInvitePeople: {% if enable_guest_invitation and user.permissions.can_invite_guest %} true {% else %} false {% endif %},
-            customNavItems: JSON.parse('{{ custom_nav_items | escapejs }}'),
+            customNavItems: {% if custom_nav_items %} JSON.parse('{{ custom_nav_items | escapejs }}') {% else %} {{'[]'}} {% endif %},
 
             {% if request.user.is_authenticated and request.cur_note %}
             curNoteMsg: '{{ request.cur_note.message|urlize|escapejs }}',