diff --git a/tests/integration/targets/ntnx_ndb_databases_sanity/tasks/tests.yml b/tests/integration/targets/ntnx_ndb_databases_sanity/tasks/tests.yml
index 504ee6d5..fcfbbe51 100644
--- a/tests/integration/targets/ntnx_ndb_databases_sanity/tasks/tests.yml
+++ b/tests/integration/targets/ntnx_ndb_databases_sanity/tasks/tests.yml
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@
 
 - name: Ensure properties is defined
   set_fact:
-    properties: "{}"
+    properties: {}
   when: properties is undefined
 
 # skip jekyll/Liquid syntax check