diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/biotools/interface.py b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/biotools/interface.py
index 6b4a5a7cb4a7..551541cddba7 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/biotools/interface.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/biotools/interface.py
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ class BiotoolsEntry:
     def from_json(from_json: Dict[str, Any]) -> 'BiotoolsEntry':
         entry = BiotoolsEntry()
         entry.biotoolsID = from_json["biotoolsID"]
-        entry.topic = from_json["topic"]
-        entry.function = from_json["function"]
+        entry.topic = from_json.get("topic", [])
+        entry.function = from_json.get("function", [])
         return entry
 
     @property