diff --git a/models.go b/models.go
index e714e49e..502ca9db 100644
--- a/models.go
+++ b/models.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ type TValidator struct {
 
 type TStep struct {
 	Name          string            `json:"name"`
-	Request       TRequest          `json:"request"`
+	Request       *TRequest         `json:"request"`
 	Variables     Variables         `json:"variables"`
 	SetupHooks    []string          `json:"setup_hooks"`
 	TeardownHooks []string          `json:"teardown_hooks"`
diff --git a/request.go b/request.go
index a755faa9..adb4a7b5 100644
--- a/request.go
+++ b/request.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ func RunRequest(name string) *Request {
 	return &Request{
 		TStep: &TStep{
 			Name:      name,
+			Request:   &TRequest{},
 			Variables: make(Variables),
 		},
 	}