diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/processes/RunBackendStepOutput.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/processes/RunBackendStepOutput.java
index 5cd13afb..fac4b6c4 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/processes/RunBackendStepOutput.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/processes/RunBackendStepOutput.java
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ public class RunBackendStepOutput extends AbstractActionOutput implements Serial
    private ProcessState processState;
    private Exception    exception; // todo - make optional
 
-   private List<AuditInput> auditInputList;
+   private List<AuditInput> auditInputList = new ArrayList<>();
+
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
@@ -259,6 +260,7 @@ public class RunBackendStepOutput extends AbstractActionOutput implements Serial
    }
 
 
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Getter for auditInputList
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -288,5 +290,4 @@ public class RunBackendStepOutput extends AbstractActionOutput implements Serial
       return (this);
    }
 
-
 }