diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/parts/debug/node/rawDebugSession.ts b/src/vs/workbench/parts/debug/node/rawDebugSession.ts
index 789ba0b15b0..52e47cbe077 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/parts/debug/node/rawDebugSession.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/parts/debug/node/rawDebugSession.ts
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ export class RawDebugSession extends v8.V8Protocol implements debug.IRawDebugSes
 
 	public initialize(args: DebugProtocol.InitializeRequestArguments): TPromise<DebugProtocol.InitializeResponse> {
 		return this.send('initialize', args).then(response => {
-			this.capablities = response.body;
+			this.capablities = response.body || { };
 			return response;
 		});
 	}