diff --git a/api/streams.go b/api/streams.go
index 2b067a71..5f331e20 100644
--- a/api/streams.go
+++ b/api/streams.go
@@ -587,7 +587,7 @@ type StreamConsumerLimits struct {
 
 // Placement describes stream placement requirements for a stream
 type Placement struct {
-	Cluster string   `json:"cluster" yaml:"cluster"`
+	Cluster string   `json:"cluster,omitempty" yaml:"cluster"`
 	Tags    []string `json:"tags,omitempty" yaml:"tags"`
 }