diff --git a/syft/cataloger/javascript/parse_package_json.go b/syft/cataloger/javascript/parse_package_json.go
index ac22bf2a8..1a8db0a51 100644
--- a/syft/cataloger/javascript/parse_package_json.go
+++ b/syft/cataloger/javascript/parse_package_json.go
@@ -133,6 +133,11 @@ func licenseFromJSON(b []byte) (string, error) {
 }
 
 func licensesFromJSON(p PackageJSON) ([]string, error) {
+	if p.License == nil && p.Licenses == nil {
+		// This package.json doesn't specify any licenses whatsoever
+		return []string{}, nil
+	}
+
 	singleLicense, err := licenseFromJSON(p.License)
 	if err == nil {
 		return []string{singleLicense}, nil