diff --git a/src/notification-preferences/NotificationPreferenceColumn.jsx b/src/notification-preferences/NotificationPreferenceColumn.jsx
index 2fc0374..ff297c3 100644
--- a/src/notification-preferences/NotificationPreferenceColumn.jsx
+++ b/src/notification-preferences/NotificationPreferenceColumn.jsx
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ const NotificationPreferenceColumn = ({ appId, channel, appPreference }) => {
   }, [appId]);
 
   const renderPreference = (preference) => (
-    (preference.coreNotificationTypes.length > 0 || preference.id !== 'core') && (
+    (preference?.coreNotificationTypes?.length > 0 || preference.id !== 'core') && (
     <div
       key={`${preference.id}-${channel}`}
       id={`${preference.id}-${channel}`}
diff --git a/src/notification-preferences/NotificationPreferences.test.jsx b/src/notification-preferences/NotificationPreferences.test.jsx
index 6dba6af..543c5cc 100644
--- a/src/notification-preferences/NotificationPreferences.test.jsx
+++ b/src/notification-preferences/NotificationPreferences.test.jsx
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ const defaultPreferences = {
       web: true,
       push: true,
       email: true,
+      coreNotificationTypes: ['new_comment'],
     },
     {
       id: 'newComment',
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ const defaultPreferences = {
       web: false,
       push: false,
       email: false,
+      coreNotificationTypes: [],
     },
     {
       id: 'newAssignment',
@@ -50,6 +52,7 @@ const defaultPreferences = {
       web: false,
       push: false,
       email: false,
+      coreNotificationTypes: [],
     },
     {
       id: 'newGrade',
@@ -57,6 +60,7 @@ const defaultPreferences = {
       web: false,
       push: false,
       email: false,
+      coreNotificationTypes: [],
     },
   ],
   nonEditable: {
@@ -70,9 +74,15 @@ const defaultPreferences = {
 
 const updateChannelPreferences = (toggleVal = false) => ({
   preferences: [
-    { id: 'core', appId: 'discussion', web: true },
-    { id: 'newComment', appId: 'discussion', web: toggleVal },
-    { id: 'newAssignment', appId: 'coursework', web: toggleVal },
+    {
+      id: 'core', appId: 'discussion', web: true, coreNotificationTypes: ['new_comment'],
+    },
+    {
+      id: 'newComment', appId: 'discussion', web: toggleVal, coreNotificationTypes: [],
+    },
+    {
+      id: 'newAssignment', appId: 'coursework', web: toggleVal, coreNotificationTypes: [],
+    },
   ],
 });
 
diff --git a/src/notification-preferences/NotificationTypes.jsx b/src/notification-preferences/NotificationTypes.jsx
index 64dd7d9..2fb3795 100644
--- a/src/notification-preferences/NotificationTypes.jsx
+++ b/src/notification-preferences/NotificationTypes.jsx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ const NotificationTypes = ({ appId }) => {
     <div className="d-flex flex-column mr-auto px-0">
       {!mobileView && <span className="mb-3 header-label">{intl.formatMessage(messages.typeLabel)}</span>}
       {preferences.map(preference => (
-        (preference.coreNotificationTypes.length > 0 || preference.id !== 'core') && (
+        (preference?.coreNotificationTypes?.length > 0 || preference.id !== 'core') && (
         <>
           <div
             key={preference.id}