diff --git a/config.md b/config.md
index 5d6953083..904d74912 100644
--- a/config.md
+++ b/config.md
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ Note: Any OPTIONAL field MAY also be set to null, which is equivalent to being a
 - **config** _object_, OPTIONAL
 
   The execution parameters which SHOULD be used as a base when running a container using the image.
-  This field can be `null`, in which case any execution parameters should be specified at creation of the container.
+  If the `config` object is omitted, any execution parameters should be specified at creation of the container.
 
   - **User** _string_, OPTIONAL
 
diff --git a/specs-go/v1/config.go b/specs-go/v1/config.go
index 36b0aeb8f..2919fa10c 100644
--- a/specs-go/v1/config.go
+++ b/specs-go/v1/config.go
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ type Image struct {
 	Platform
 
 	// Config defines the execution parameters which should be used as a base when running a container using the image.
-	Config ImageConfig `json:"config,omitempty"`
+	Config ImageConfig `json:"config,omitzero"`
 
 	// RootFS references the layer content addresses used by the image.
 	RootFS RootFS `json:"rootfs"`