diff --git a/packages/suite/src/index.ts b/packages/suite/src/index.ts
index bdb7616632..e5edf99a3c 100644
--- a/packages/suite/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/suite/src/index.ts
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ export type PanelExtensionContext = {
    * An array of metadata entries. Each entry includes a name and a map of key-value pairs
    * representing the metadata associated with that name (only avaiable in MCAP files).
    */
-  readonly metadata: ReadonlyArray<Readonly<Metadata>>;
+  readonly metadata?: ReadonlyArray<Readonly<Metadata>>;
 
   /**
    * Subscribe to updates on this field within the render state. Render will only be invoked when