diff --git a/components/heartbeat-management/io.entgra.server.bootup.heartbeat.beacon/src/main/java/io/entgra/server/bootup/heartbeat/beacon/dto/ElectedCandidate.java b/components/heartbeat-management/io.entgra.server.bootup.heartbeat.beacon/src/main/java/io/entgra/server/bootup/heartbeat/beacon/dto/ElectedCandidate.java
index a3920d362b..99bfa8eba9 100644
--- a/components/heartbeat-management/io.entgra.server.bootup.heartbeat.beacon/src/main/java/io/entgra/server/bootup/heartbeat/beacon/dto/ElectedCandidate.java
+++ b/components/heartbeat-management/io.entgra.server.bootup.heartbeat.beacon/src/main/java/io/entgra/server/bootup/heartbeat/beacon/dto/ElectedCandidate.java
@@ -19,13 +19,14 @@
 package io.entgra.server.bootup.heartbeat.beacon.dto;
 
 import java.sql.Timestamp;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 
 public class ElectedCandidate {
 
     private String serverUUID;
     private Timestamp timeOfElection;
-    private List<String> acknowledgedTaskList = null;
+    private List<String> acknowledgedTaskList = new ArrayList<>();
 
     public List<String> getAcknowledgedTaskList() {
         return acknowledgedTaskList;