diff --git a/lib/layer.js b/lib/layer.js
index 06c70871..f512ded1 100644
--- a/lib/layer.js
+++ b/lib/layer.js
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ function zipRequirements() {
  * @return {Promise} empty promise
  */
 function createLayers() {
+  if (!this.serverless.service.layers) {
+    this.serverless.service.layers = {};
+  }
   this.serverless.service.layers['pythonRequirements'] = Object.assign(
     {
       artifact: path.join('.serverless', 'pythonRequirements.zip'),