diff --git a/models/collaborative_area/collaborative_area.go b/models/collaborative_area/collaborative_area.go
index 3d6fc38..77f3b1b 100644
--- a/models/collaborative_area/collaborative_area.go
+++ b/models/collaborative_area/collaborative_area.go
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ type CollaborativeArea struct {
 }
 
 func (ao *CollaborativeArea) Clear(peerID string) {
+	if ao.AllowedPeersGroup == nil {
+		ao.AllowedPeersGroup = map[string][]string{}
+	}
 	ao.CreatorID = peerID
 	if config.GetConfig().Whitelist {
 		ao.AllowedPeersGroup[peerID] = []string{"*"}