diff --git a/test-data/src/main/java/se/su/dsv/scipro/testdata/DataInitializer.java b/test-data/src/main/java/se/su/dsv/scipro/testdata/DataInitializer.java
index 8b157598c4..b2fec13a8e 100644
--- a/test-data/src/main/java/se/su/dsv/scipro/testdata/DataInitializer.java
+++ b/test-data/src/main/java/se/su/dsv/scipro/testdata/DataInitializer.java
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ public class DataInitializer implements Lifecycle, BaseData, Factory {
     public static final long RESEARCH_AREA_ID = 12L;
 
     @Inject
-    private Collection<TestDataPopulator> testDataPopulators = new ArrayList<>();
+    private Optional<Collection<TestDataPopulator>> testDataPopulators = Optional.empty();
 
     @Inject
     private UserService userService;
@@ -123,7 +123,8 @@ public class DataInitializer implements Lifecycle, BaseData, Factory {
             createTarget();
             createStudentIdea();
             createRoughDraftApproval();
-            for (TestDataPopulator testDataPopulator : testDataPopulators) {
+            Collection<TestDataPopulator> availablePopulators = testDataPopulators.orElseGet(Collections::emptySet);
+            for (TestDataPopulator testDataPopulator : availablePopulators) {
                 testDataPopulator.populate(this, this);
             }
         }