diff --git a/snakemake/workflow.py b/snakemake/workflow.py
index 67ee74aeb..69aae4420 100644
--- a/snakemake/workflow.py
+++ b/snakemake/workflow.py
@@ -204,7 +204,9 @@ def __init__(
         self.attempt = attempt
         self.default_remote_provider = default_remote_provider
         self.default_remote_prefix = default_remote_prefix
-        self.configfiles = list(overwrite_configfiles) or []
+        self.configfiles = (
+            [] if overwrite_configfiles is None else list(overwrite_configfiles)
+        )
         self.run_local = run_local
         self.report_text = None
         self.conda_cleanup_pkgs = conda_cleanup_pkgs