diff --git a/umap/settings/base.py b/umap/settings/base.py
index 35f05da9..37cb1e47 100644
--- a/umap/settings/base.py
+++ b/umap/settings/base.py
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ STATICFILES_FINDERS = [
     'django.contrib.staticfiles.finders.AppDirectoriesFinder',
     'compressor.finders.CompressorFinder',
 ]
+STATICFILES_DIRS = []  # May be extended when using UMAP_CUSTOM_STATICS
 
 # =============================================================================
 # Templates