diff --git a/python/damask/_configmaterial.py b/python/damask/_configmaterial.py
index 17d8c796d..ed72aa27d 100644
--- a/python/damask/_configmaterial.py
+++ b/python/damask/_configmaterial.py
@@ -9,12 +9,15 @@ from . import Orientation
 class ConfigMaterial(Config):
     """Material configuration."""
 
-    def __init__(self):
-        """Initialize object with all required dictionary keys."""
-        super().__init__()
-        self['material'] = []
-        self['homogenization'] = {}
-        self['phase'] = {}
+    _defaults = {'material': [],
+                 'homogenization': {},
+                 'phase': {}}
+
+    def __init__(self,d={}):
+        """Initialize object with default dictionary keys."""
+        super().__init__(d)
+        for k,v in self._defaults.items():
+            if k not in self: self[k] = v
 
     def save(self,fname='material.yaml',**kwargs):
         """
diff --git a/python/tests/reference/ConfigMaterial/material.yaml b/python/tests/reference/ConfigMaterial/material.yaml
index 933e295b3..fbba6a631 100644
--- a/python/tests/reference/ConfigMaterial/material.yaml
+++ b/python/tests/reference/ConfigMaterial/material.yaml
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 homogenization:
   SX:
-    N_constituents: 2
-    mech: {type: none}
+    N_constituents: 1
+    mechanics: {type: none}
   Taylor:
     N_constituents: 2
-    mech: {type: isostrain}
+    mechanics: {type: isostrain}
 
 material:
   - constituents:
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ material:
 phase:
   Aluminum:
     lattice: cF
-    mech:
+    mechanics:
       output: [F, P, F_e, F_p, L_p]
       elasticity: {C_11: 106.75e9, C_12: 60.41e9, C_44: 28.34e9, type: hooke}
   Steel:
     lattice: cI
-    mech:
+    mechanics:
       output: [F, P, F_e, F_p, L_p]
       elasticity: {C_11: 233.3e9, C_12: 135.5e9, C_44: 118.0e9, type: hooke}