diff --git a/src/hostcalls.rs b/src/hostcalls.rs
index 8dbc335c..3b29f272 100644
--- a/src/hostcalls.rs
+++ b/src/hostcalls.rs
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ pub fn get_map_value(map_type: MapType, key: &str) -> Result<Option<String>, Sta
                         .unwrap(),
                     ))
                 } else {
-                    Ok(None)
+                    Ok(Some(String::new()))
                 }
             }
             Status::NotFound => Ok(None),
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ pub fn get_map_value_bytes(map_type: MapType, key: &str) -> Result<Option<Bytes>
                         return_size,
                     )))
                 } else {
-                    Ok(None)
+                    Ok(Some(Vec::new()))
                 }
             }
             Status::NotFound => Ok(None),