diff --git a/blkmaker_jansson.c b/blkmaker_jansson.c
index 5963489..ac6ba29 100644
--- a/blkmaker_jansson.c
+++ b/blkmaker_jansson.c
@@ -214,7 +214,8 @@ const char *blktmpl_add_jansson(blktemplate_t *tmpl, const json_t *json, time_t
 	
 	GETSTR(workid, workid);
 	
-	GETNUM(expires);
+	if (json_object_get(json, "expires"))
+		GETNUM(expires);
 	
 	GETSTR(longpollid, lp.id);
 	GETSTR(longpolluri, lp.uri);