diff --git a/src/www/carp_status.php b/src/www/carp_status.php
index 11c0e7f9f..95bcc4fec 100644
--- a/src/www/carp_status.php
+++ b/src/www/carp_status.php
@@ -30,10 +30,6 @@
 require_once("guiconfig.inc");
 require_once("interfaces.inc");
 
-// init $config['virtualip']['vip']
-if ( !isset($config['virtualip']['vip']) || !is_array($config['virtualip']['vip'])) {
-    $config['virtualip']['vip'] = array();
-}
 $a_vip = &config_read_array('virtualip', 'vip');
 
 $act = null;
diff --git a/src/www/diag_logs_filter.php b/src/www/diag_logs_filter.php
index 738609c9c..298364799 100644
--- a/src/www/diag_logs_filter.php
+++ b/src/www/diag_logs_filter.php
@@ -100,8 +100,8 @@ function easyrule_block_rule_exists($int = 'wan', $ipproto = "inet") {
     return false;
 }
 
-function easyrule_block_rule_create($int = 'wan', $ipproto = "inet") {
-    global $config;
+function easyrule_block_rule_create($int = 'wan', $ipproto = "inet")
+{
     $blockaliasname = 'EasyRuleBlockHosts';
     /* If the alias doesn't exist, exit.
      * Can't create an empty alias, and we don't know a host */
@@ -114,13 +114,9 @@ function easyrule_block_rule_create($int = 'wan', $ipproto = "inet") {
         return true;
     }
 
-    /* No rules, start a new array */
-    if (!is_array($config['filter']['rule'])) {
-        $config['filter']['rule'] = array();
-    }
+    $a_filter = &config_read_array('filter', 'rule');
 
     filter_rules_sort();
-    $a_filter = &config_read_array('filter', 'rule');
 
     /* Make up a new rule */
     $filterent = array();
@@ -157,8 +153,8 @@ function easyrule_block_alias_getid($int = 'wan')
     return false;
 }
 
-function easyrule_block_alias_add($host, $int = 'wan') {
-    global $config;
+function easyrule_block_alias_add($host, $int = 'wan')
+{
     $blockaliasname = 'EasyRuleBlockHosts';
     /* If the host isn't a valid IP address, bail */
     $host = trim($host, "[]");
@@ -166,13 +162,6 @@ function easyrule_block_alias_add($host, $int = 'wan') {
         return false;
     }
 
-    /* If there are no aliases, start an array */
-    if (!isset($config['aliases']) || !is_array($config['aliases'])) {
-        $config['aliases'] = array();
-    }
-    if (!isset($config['aliases']['alias'])) {
-        $config['aliases']['alias'] = array();
-    }
     $a_aliases = &config_read_array('aliases', 'alias');
 
     /* Try to get the ID if the alias already exists */
@@ -269,16 +258,11 @@ function easyrule_block_host_add($host, $int = 'wan', $ipproto = "inet") {
     }
 }
 
-function easyrule_pass_rule_add($int, $proto, $srchost, $dsthost, $dstport, $ipproto) {
-    global $config;
-
-    /* No rules, start a new array */
-    if (!isset($config['filter']['rule'])) {
-        $config['filter']['rule'] = array();
-    }
+function easyrule_pass_rule_add($int, $proto, $srchost, $dsthost, $dstport, $ipproto)
+{
+    $a_filter = &config_read_array('filter', 'rule');
 
     filter_rules_sort();
-    $a_filter = &config_read_array('filter', 'rule');
 
     /* Make up a new rule */
     $filterent = array();
diff --git a/src/www/firewall_aliases_import.php b/src/www/firewall_aliases_import.php
index 5e6e68303..9c6be62e1 100644
--- a/src/www/firewall_aliases_import.php
+++ b/src/www/firewall_aliases_import.php
@@ -29,12 +29,7 @@
 
 require_once("guiconfig.inc");
 
-if (!isset($config['aliases']) || !is_array($config['aliases'])) {
-    $config['aliases'] = array();
-}
-if (!isset($config['aliases']['alias'])) {
-    $config['aliases']['alias'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('aliases', 'alias');
 
 if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     // initialize form vars
diff --git a/src/www/index.php b/src/www/index.php
index 249c493c1..f27534075 100644
--- a/src/www/index.php
+++ b/src/www/index.php
@@ -37,10 +37,8 @@ if (isset($_REQUEST['closenotice'])) {
     exit;
 }
 
-##if no config entry found, initialize config entry
-if (empty($config['widgets']) || !is_array($config['widgets'])) {
-    $config['widgets'] = array();
-}
+// if no config entry found, initialize config entry
+config_read_array('widgets');
 
 $widgetCollection = array();
 
diff --git a/src/www/interfaces_bridge_edit.php b/src/www/interfaces_bridge_edit.php
index d2e183720..0b9e86c17 100644
--- a/src/www/interfaces_bridge_edit.php
+++ b/src/www/interfaces_bridge_edit.php
@@ -32,13 +32,6 @@ require_once("system.inc");
 require_once("interfaces.inc");
 require_once("services.inc");
 
-if (!isset($config['bridges']) || !is_array($config['bridges'])) {
-    $config['bridges'] = array();
-}
-if (!isset($config['bridges']['bridged']) || !is_array($config['bridges']['bridged'])) {
-    $config['bridges']['bridged'] = array();
-}
-
 $a_bridges = &config_read_array('bridges', 'bridged');
 
 // interface list
diff --git a/src/www/services_dhcp.php b/src/www/services_dhcp.php
index f1eb5cfe1..702b55cfc 100644
--- a/src/www/services_dhcp.php
+++ b/src/www/services_dhcp.php
@@ -121,12 +121,6 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
         }
     }
 
-    if (empty($config['dhcpd'][$if])) {
-        $config['dhcpd'][$if] = array();
-    }
-    if (empty($config['dhcpd'][$if]['pool'])) {
-        $config['dhcpd'][$if]['pool'] = array();
-    }
     $a_pools = &config_read_array('dhcpd', $if, 'pool');
 
     if (!empty($_GET['act'])) {
@@ -179,12 +173,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
             $pool = $_POST['pool'];
         }
     }
-    if (empty($config['dhcpd'][$if])) {
-        $config['dhcpd'][$if] = array();
-    }
-    if (empty($config['dhcpd'][$if]['pool'])) {
-        $config['dhcpd'][$if]['pool'] = array();
-    }
+
     $a_pools = &config_read_array('dhcpd', $if, 'pool');
 
     if (!empty($_POST['act'])) {
diff --git a/src/www/services_dhcp_edit.php b/src/www/services_dhcp_edit.php
index 11fc301d7..3d6c0b824 100644
--- a/src/www/services_dhcp_edit.php
+++ b/src/www/services_dhcp_edit.php
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     }
 } elseif ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
     $pconfig = $_POST;
+
     // handle identifiers and actions
     if (!empty($pconfig['if']) && !empty($config['interfaces'][$pconfig['if']])) {
         $if = $pconfig['if'];
@@ -93,15 +94,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     if (!empty($config['dhcpd'][$if]['staticmap'][$pconfig['id']])) {
         $id = $pconfig['id'];
     }
-    if (empty($config['dhcpd'])) {
-        $config['dhcpd'] = array();
-    }
-    if (empty($config['dhcpd'][$if])) {
-        $config['dhcpd'][$if] = array();
-    }
-    if (empty($config['dhcpd'][$if]['staticmap'])) {
-        $config['dhcpd'][$if]['staticmap'] = array();
-    }
+
     $a_maps = &config_read_array('dhcpd', $if, 'staticmap');
     $input_errors = array();
 
diff --git a/src/www/services_dhcpv6.php b/src/www/services_dhcpv6.php
index 8a9bdfaee..2ba66a8ef 100644
--- a/src/www/services_dhcpv6.php
+++ b/src/www/services_dhcpv6.php
@@ -237,13 +237,8 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
         }
 
         if (count($input_errors) == 0) {
+            config_read_array('dhcpdv6', $if);
             $dhcpdconf = array();
-            if (empty($config['dhcpdv6']) || !is_array($config['dhcpdv6'])) {
-                $config['dhcpdv6'] = array();
-            }
-            if (empty($config['dhcpdv6'][$if]) || !is_array($config['dhcpdv6'][$if])) {
-                $config['dhcpdv6'][$if] = array();
-            }
 
             // simple 1-on-1 copy
             $config_copy_fieldsnames = array('defaultleasetime', 'maxleasetime', 'netmask', 'domain', 'domainsearchlist',
diff --git a/src/www/services_dhcpv6_edit.php b/src/www/services_dhcpv6_edit.php
index 5979d8434..45db810c7 100644
--- a/src/www/services_dhcpv6_edit.php
+++ b/src/www/services_dhcpv6_edit.php
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
 } elseif ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
     $input_errors = array();
     $pconfig = $_POST;
+
     // handle identifiers and actions
     if (!empty($pconfig['if']) && !empty($config['interfaces'][$pconfig['if']])) {
         $if = $pconfig['if'];
@@ -71,15 +72,9 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     if (!empty($config['dhcpdv6'][$if]['staticmap'][$pconfig['id']])) {
         $id = $pconfig['id'];
     }
-    if (empty($config['dhcpdv6']) || !is_array($config['dhcpdv6'])) {
-        $config['dhcpdv6'] = array();
-    }
-    if (empty($config['dhcpdv6'][$if]) || !is_array($config['dhcpdv6'][$if])) {
-        $config['dhcpdv6'][$if] = array();
-    }
-    if (empty($config['dhcpdv6'][$if]['staticmap']) || !is_array($config['dhcpdv6'][$if]['staticmap'])) {
-        $config['dhcpdv6'][$if]['staticmap'] = array();
-    }
+
+    config_read_array('dhcpdv6', $if, 'staticmap');
+
     /* input validation */
     $reqdfields = explode(" ", "duid");
     $reqdfieldsn = array(gettext("DUID Identifier"));
diff --git a/src/www/services_dnsmasq.php b/src/www/services_dnsmasq.php
index d6dbc5a0c..b879c9140 100644
--- a/src/www/services_dnsmasq.php
+++ b/src/www/services_dnsmasq.php
@@ -33,13 +33,8 @@ require_once("filter.inc");
 require_once("services.inc");
 require_once("system.inc");
 
-if (empty($config['dnsmasq']['hosts']) || !is_array($config['dnsmasq']['hosts'])) {
-    $config['dnsmasq']['hosts'] = array();
-}
-
-if (empty($config['dnsmasq']['domainoverrides']) || !is_array($config['dnsmasq']['domainoverrides'])) {
-    $config['dnsmasq']['domainoverrides'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('dnsmasq', 'hosts');
+config_read_array('dnsmasq', 'domainoverrides');
 
 if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     $pconfig = array();
diff --git a/src/www/services_ntpd_gps.php b/src/www/services_ntpd_gps.php
index 3d77725ff..6f3df29eb 100644
--- a/src/www/services_ntpd_gps.php
+++ b/src/www/services_ntpd_gps.php
@@ -34,9 +34,7 @@ require_once("system.inc");
 require_once("interfaces.inc");
 require_once("plugins.inc.d/ntpd.inc");
 
-if (!isset($config['ntpd']['gps'])) {
-    $config['ntpd']['gps'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('ntpd', 'gps');
 
 $copy_fields = array('port', 'type', 'speed', 'nmea', 'fudge1', 'fudge2', 'stratum', 'prefer', 'noselect',
                      'flag1', 'flag2', 'flag3', 'flag4', 'subsec', 'refid', 'initcmd');
diff --git a/src/www/services_ntpd_pps.php b/src/www/services_ntpd_pps.php
index 47c030691..2fcb477ed 100644
--- a/src/www/services_ntpd_pps.php
+++ b/src/www/services_ntpd_pps.php
@@ -33,12 +33,7 @@ require_once("system.inc");
 require_once("interfaces.inc");
 require_once("plugins.inc.d/ntpd.inc");
 
-if (!isset($config['ntpd']) || !is_array($config['ntpd'])) {
-    $config['ntpd'] = array();
-}
-if (!isset($config['ntpd']['pps'])) {
-    $config['ntpd']['pps'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('ntpd', 'pps');
 
 $copy_fields = array('port', 'fudge1', 'stratum', 'flag2', 'flag3', 'flag4', 'refid');
 if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
diff --git a/src/www/services_opendns.php b/src/www/services_opendns.php
index b5138295d..f6b672b19 100644
--- a/src/www/services_opendns.php
+++ b/src/www/services_opendns.php
@@ -32,9 +32,7 @@ require_once("system.inc");
 require_once("services.inc");
 require_once("interfaces.inc");
 
-if (empty($config['opendns']) || !is_array($config['opendns'])) {
-    $config['opendns'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('opendns');
 
 if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     $pconfig['enable'] = isset($config['opendns']['enable']);
diff --git a/src/www/services_router_advertisements.php b/src/www/services_router_advertisements.php
index 36e22e985..ca06cf658 100644
--- a/src/www/services_router_advertisements.php
+++ b/src/www/services_router_advertisements.php
@@ -120,9 +120,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     }
 
     if (count($input_errors) == 0) {
-        if (!is_array($config['dhcpdv6'][$if])) {
-            $config['dhcpdv6'][$if] = array();
-        }
+        config_read_array('dhcpdv6', $if);
 
         $config['dhcpdv6'][$if]['ramode'] = $pconfig['ramode'];
         $config['dhcpdv6'][$if]['rapriority'] = $pconfig['rapriority'];
diff --git a/src/www/services_unbound_advanced.php b/src/www/services_unbound_advanced.php
index 44c62b146..c9eb9211e 100644
--- a/src/www/services_unbound_advanced.php
+++ b/src/www/services_unbound_advanced.php
@@ -31,9 +31,7 @@ require_once("guiconfig.inc");
 require_once("system.inc");
 require_once("services.inc");
 
-if(empty($config['unbound']) || !is_array($config['unbound'])) {
-    $config['unbound'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('unbound');
 
 $copy_fields = array(
     'cache_max_ttl',
diff --git a/src/www/services_unbound_overrides.php b/src/www/services_unbound_overrides.php
index 7e01e0010..78b5f8f96 100644
--- a/src/www/services_unbound_overrides.php
+++ b/src/www/services_unbound_overrides.php
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ require_once("system.inc");
 require_once("interfaces.inc");
 
 $a_hosts = &config_read_array('unbound', 'hosts');
+config_read_array('unbound', 'domainoverrides');
+
 /* Backwards compatibility for records created before introducing RR types. */
 foreach ($a_hosts as $i => $hostent) {
     if (!isset($hostent['rr'])) {
@@ -41,10 +43,6 @@ foreach ($a_hosts as $i => $hostent) {
     }
 }
 
-if (empty($config['unbound']['domainoverrides']) || !is_array($config['unbound']['domainoverrides'])) {
-    $config['unbound']['domainoverrides'] = array();
-}
-
 if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
     $pconfig = $_POST;
     if (!empty($pconfig['apply'])) {
diff --git a/src/www/system_authservers.php b/src/www/system_authservers.php
index b6acd0cc2..b326c7ef9 100644
--- a/src/www/system_authservers.php
+++ b/src/www/system_authservers.php
@@ -27,19 +27,15 @@
     ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
     POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 */
+
 require_once("guiconfig.inc");
 require_once("auth.inc");
 
 $authFactory = new \OPNsense\Auth\AuthenticationFactory();
 $authCNFOptions = $authFactory->listConfigOptions();
 
-if (!isset($config['system']['authserver'])) {
-    $config['system']['authserver'] = array();
-}
-
-if (empty($config['ca']) || !is_array($config['ca'])) {
-    $config['ca'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('system', 'authserver');
+config_read_array('ca');
 
 $a_servers = auth_get_authserver_list();
 $a_server = array();
diff --git a/src/www/system_gateways.php b/src/www/system_gateways.php
index 6579b4760..e7ee7928d 100644
--- a/src/www/system_gateways.php
+++ b/src/www/system_gateways.php
@@ -150,12 +150,6 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
     } elseif (isset($id) && isset($pconfig['act']) && $pconfig['act'] == "toggle") {
         // Toggle active/in-active
         $realid = $a_gateways[$id]['attribute'];
-        if (!is_array($config['gateways'])) {
-            $config['gateways'] = array();
-        }
-        if (!is_array($config['gateways']['gateway_item'])) {
-            $config['gateways']['gateway_item'] = array();
-        }
         $a_gateway_item = &config_read_array('gateways', 'gateway_item');
 
         if (isset($a_gateway_item[$realid]['disabled'])) {
diff --git a/src/www/system_gateways_edit.php b/src/www/system_gateways_edit.php
index 91e88a6df..d3306f92d 100644
--- a/src/www/system_gateways_edit.php
+++ b/src/www/system_gateways_edit.php
@@ -321,13 +321,6 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
     }
 
     if (count($input_errors) == 0) {
-        if (!isset($config['gateways']) || !is_array($config['gateways'])) {
-            $config['gateways'] = array();
-        }
-
-        if (!isset($config['gateways']['gateway_item']) || !is_array($config['gateways']['gateway_item'])) {
-            $config['gateways']['gateway_item'] = array();
-        }
         // A result of obfuscating the list of gateways is that over here we need to map things back that should
         // be aligned with the configuration. Not going to fix this now.
         if (isset($a_gateways[$id]['attribute']) && is_numeric($a_gateways[$id]['attribute']) ) {
diff --git a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys.php b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys.php
index 254d31cff..ed0fce72e 100644
--- a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys.php
+++ b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys.php
@@ -33,15 +33,8 @@ require_once("filter.inc");
 require_once("services.inc");
 require_once("interfaces.inc");
 
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']) || !is_array($config['ipsec'])) {
-    $config['ipsec'] = array();
-}
-
-if (!is_array($config['ipsec']['mobilekey'])) {
-    $config['ipsec']['mobilekey'] = array();
-} else {
-    ipsec_mobilekey_sort();
-}
+config_read_array('ipsec', 'mobilekey');
+ipsec_mobilekey_sort();
 
 if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
     if (isset($_POST['act']) && isset($_POST['id']) && is_numericint($_POST['id']) && $_POST['act'] == "del") {
diff --git a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys_edit.php b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys_edit.php
index 2cca58429..7e923242d 100644
--- a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys_edit.php
+++ b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys_edit.php
@@ -32,15 +32,8 @@ require_once("interfaces.inc");
 require_once("services.inc");
 require_once("plugins.inc.d/ipsec.inc");
 
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']) || !is_array($config['ipsec'])) {
-    $config['ipsec'] = array();
-}
-
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']['mobilekey'])) {
-    $config['ipsec']['mobilekey'] = array();
-} else {
-    ipsec_mobilekey_sort();
-}
+config_read_aray('ipsec', 'mobilekey');
+ipsec_mobilekey_sort();
 
 if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     $pconfig = array();
diff --git a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_mobile.php b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_mobile.php
index c48c79140..4e66f3c4e 100644
--- a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_mobile.php
+++ b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_mobile.php
@@ -33,17 +33,8 @@ require_once("filter.inc");
 require_once("services.inc");
 require_once("plugins.inc.d/ipsec.inc");
 
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']) || !is_array($config['ipsec'])) {
-    $config['ipsec'] = array();
-}
-
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']['phase1'])) {
-    $config['ipsec']['phase1'] = array();
-}
-
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']['client'])) {
-    $config['ipsec']['client'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('ipsec', 'client');
+config_read_array('ipsec', 'phase1');
 
 // define formfields
 $form_fields = "user_source,group_source,pool_address,pool_netbits,net_list
diff --git a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_phase2.php b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_phase2.php
index 1c2e8b808..7c05cf903 100644
--- a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_phase2.php
+++ b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_phase2.php
@@ -130,17 +130,8 @@ function getIndexByUniqueId($uniqid)
     return $p2index;
 }
 
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']) || !is_array($config['ipsec'])) {
-    $config['ipsec'] = array();
-}
-
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']['client'])) {
-    $config['ipsec']['client'] = array();
-}
-
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']['phase2'])) {
-    $config['ipsec']['phase2'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('ipsec', 'client');
+config_read_array('ipsec', 'phase2');
 
 if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     // lookup p2index
diff --git a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_settings.php b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_settings.php
index 886942252..711f73d42 100644
--- a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_settings.php
+++ b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_settings.php
@@ -33,9 +33,7 @@ require_once("plugins.inc.d/ipsec.inc");
 require_once("services.inc");
 require_once("interfaces.inc");
 
-if (!isset($config['ipsec']) || !is_array($config['ipsec'])) {
-    $config['ipsec'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('ipsec');
 
 if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     // fetch form data
diff --git a/src/www/widgets/widgets/carp_status.widget.php b/src/www/widgets/widgets/carp_status.widget.php
index 5c1007fc1..5caa8fb79 100644
--- a/src/www/widgets/widgets/carp_status.widget.php
+++ b/src/www/widgets/widgets/carp_status.widget.php
@@ -31,9 +31,7 @@
 require_once("guiconfig.inc");
 require_once("interfaces.inc");
 
-if (!isset($config['virtualip']['vip'])) {
-   $config['virtualip']['vip'] = array();
-}
+config_read_array('virtualip', 'vip');
 
 ?>
 <table class="table table-striped table-condensed">
diff --git a/src/www/widgets/widgets/thermal_sensors.widget.php b/src/www/widgets/widgets/thermal_sensors.widget.php
index 96b7a78ef..d009f2a41 100644
--- a/src/www/widgets/widgets/thermal_sensors.widget.php
+++ b/src/www/widgets/widgets/thermal_sensors.widget.php
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 
 require_once("guiconfig.inc");
 
+config_read_array('widgets', 'thermal_sensors_widget');
+
 function validate_temp_value($value)
 {
     if (is_numeric($value) && (int)$value == $value && $value >= 0 and $value <= 100) {
@@ -45,10 +47,6 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
         $pconfig[$fieldname] = !empty($config['widgets']['thermal_sensors_widget'][$fieldname]) ? $config['widgets']['thermal_sensors_widget'][$fieldname] : $defaultValue;
     }
 } elseif ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
-    // save widget config
-    if (empty($config['widgets']['thermal_sensors_widget']) || !is_array($config['widgets']['thermal_sensors_widget'])) {
-        $config['widgets']['thermal_sensors_widget'] = array();
-    }
     foreach ($fieldnames as $fieldname) {
         $defaultValue = strpos($fieldname, 'critical') !== false ? 80 : 70;
         $newValue = !empty($_POST[$fieldname]) ? $_POST[$fieldname] : "";