diff --git a/startup_scripts/000_users.py b/startup_scripts/000_users.py
index 446aaeb..6962df0 100644
--- a/startup_scripts/000_users.py
+++ b/startup_scripts/000_users.py
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ with file.open('r') as stream:
           Token.objects.create(user=user, key=user_details['api_token'])
 
         yaml_permissions = user_details.get('permissions', [])
-        subject = user.user_permissions
         if yaml_permissions:
+          subject = user.user_permissions
           subject.clear()
           for yaml_permission in yaml_permissions:
             if '*' in yaml_permission:
diff --git a/startup_scripts/010_groups.py b/startup_scripts/010_groups.py
index 0a35387..08fb4bf 100644
--- a/startup_scripts/010_groups.py
+++ b/startup_scripts/010_groups.py
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ with file.open('r') as stream:
           user.groups.add(group)
 
       yaml_permissions = group_details.get('permissions', [])
-      subject = group.permissions
       if yaml_permissions:
+        subject = group.permissions
         subject.clear()
         for yaml_permission in yaml_permissions:
           if '*' in yaml_permission: