diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/config.py b/openflexure_microscope/config.py
index c0a971ba..3cd36f72 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/config.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/config.py
@@ -32,8 +32,7 @@ class OpenflexureSettingsFile:
         self.path = path
 
         # Initialise basic config file with defaults if it doesn't exist
-        defaults_str = json.dumps(defaults, cls=JSONEncoder, indent=2, sort_keys=True)
-        initialise_file(self.path, populate=defaults_str)
+        initialise_file(self.path, populate=defaults)
 
     def load(self) -> dict:
         """
@@ -104,7 +103,6 @@ class JSONEncoder(flask.json.JSONEncoder):
             return flask.json.JSONEncoder.default(self, o)
 
 
-
 # HANDLE BASIC LOADING AND SAVING OF SETTINGS FILES