diff --git a/sopel_modules/SpiceBot/Commands.py b/sopel_modules/SpiceBot/Commands.py
index 092f526..eb450c2 100644
--- a/sopel_modules/SpiceBot/Commands.py
+++ b/sopel_modules/SpiceBot/Commands.py
@@ -196,7 +196,8 @@ class BotCommands():
             foldername = str(folderpath).split("/")[-1]
 
             # check for json reference file
-            validcomdict = botread.module_json_to_dict(str(modulefile))
+            # validcomdict = botread.module_json_to_dict(str(modulefile))
+            validcomdict = {}
 
             # replace json defaults
             validcomdict["filepath"] = str(modulefile)