diff --git a/llama_deploy/services/workflow.py b/llama_deploy/services/workflow.py
index 89507755..11a390e0 100644
--- a/llama_deploy/services/workflow.py
+++ b/llama_deploy/services/workflow.py
@@ -68,9 +68,7 @@ class WorkflowState(BaseModel):
     hash: Optional[int] = Field(
         default=None, description="Hash of the context, if any."
     )
-    state: Optional[dict] = Field(
-        default_factory=dict, description="Pickled state, if any."
-    )
+    state: dict = Field(default_factory=dict, description="Pickled state, if any.")
     run_kwargs: Dict[str, Any] = Field(
         default_factory=dict, description="Run kwargs needed to run the workflow."
     )