diff --git a/sasdata/data.py b/sasdata/data.py
index a9cd9648..cb96b33d 100644
--- a/sasdata/data.py
+++ b/sasdata/data.py
@@ -23,14 +23,17 @@ def __init__(
         abscissae: Abscissa,
         mask: Quantity,
         dependents: list["SasData"],
-        metadata: Metadata,
+        metadata: Metadata | None = None,
     ):
         self.name = name
         self._ordinate = ordinate
         self._abscissae = abscissae
         self._mask = mask
         self.dependents = dependents
-        self.metadata = metadata
+        if metadata:
+            self.metadata = metadata
+        else:
+            self.metadata = Metadata.initialise_empty()
 
     @property
     def ordinate(self) -> Quantity:
@@ -72,7 +75,7 @@ def __init__(
         name: str,
         data_contents: dict[str, Quantity],
         dataset_type: DatasetType,
-        metadata: Metadata,
+        metadata: Metadata | None = None,
         verbose: bool = False,
     ):
         self.name = name
@@ -82,7 +85,11 @@ def __init__(
         self._data_contents = data_contents
         self._verbose = verbose
 
-        self.metadata = metadata
+        if metadata:
+            self.metadata = metadata
+        else:
+            self.metadata = Metadata.initialise_empty()
+
 
         # TODO: Could this be optional?
         self.dataset_type: DatasetType = dataset_type
diff --git a/sasdata/metadata.py b/sasdata/metadata.py
index 1ad46b93..7a7084c7 100644
--- a/sasdata/metadata.py
+++ b/sasdata/metadata.py
@@ -622,6 +622,19 @@ def from_json(obj):
             raw=MetaNode.from_json(obj["raw"]),
         )
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def initialise_empty():
+        return Metadata(
+            title=None,
+            run=[],
+            definition=None,
+            process=[],
+            sample=None,
+            instrument=None,
+            magnetic=None,
+            raw=None
+        )
+
     def serialise_json(self):
         serialized = {
             "instrument": None,