diff --git a/esphome/components/lvgl/schemas.py b/esphome/components/lvgl/schemas.py
index 45d933c00e..2aeeedbd10 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lvgl/schemas.py
+++ b/esphome/components/lvgl/schemas.py
@@ -436,6 +436,7 @@ def container_schema(widget_type: WidgetType, extras=None):
     schema = schema.extend(widget_type.schema)
 
     def validator(value):
+        value = value or {}
         return append_layout_schema(schema, value)(value)
 
     return validator
diff --git a/tests/components/lvgl/test.host.yaml b/tests/components/lvgl/test.host.yaml
index 00a8cd8c01..f84156c9d8 100644
--- a/tests/components/lvgl/test.host.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/lvgl/test.host.yaml
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ lvgl:
   - id: lvgl_0
     default_font: space16
     displays: sdl0
+    top_layer:
+
   - id: lvgl_1
     displays: sdl1
     on_idle: