diff --git a/src/main/java/net/kuujo/vertigo/context/WorkerContext.java b/src/main/java/net/kuujo/vertigo/context/WorkerContext.java
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/kuujo/vertigo/context/WorkerContext.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/kuujo/vertigo/context/WorkerContext.java
@@ -91,7 +91,10 @@ public class WorkerContext implements Context {
    *   A JSON configuration.
    */
   public JsonObject config() {
-    JsonObject config = getComponentContext().getDefinition().config();
+    if (parent == null) {
+      return new JsonObject();
+    }
+    JsonObject config = parent.getDefinition().config();
     if (config == null) {
       config = new JsonObject();
     }
Support empty WorkerContext instances for other language support.