diff --git a/config.md b/config.md
index 6f1d1dea7..fab02027d 100644
--- a/config.md
+++ b/config.md
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ Hooks allow for the configuration of custom actions related to the [lifecycle](r
     Entries in the array contain the following properties:
     * **`path`** (string, REQUIRED) with similar semantics to [IEEE Std 1003.1-2001 `execv`'s *path*][ieee-1003.1-2001-xsh-exec].
       This specification extends the IEEE standard in that **`path`** MUST be absolute.
-    * **`args`** (array of strings, REQUIRED) with the same semantics as [IEEE Std 1003.1-2001 `execv`'s *argv*][ieee-1003.1-2001-xsh-exec].
+    * **`args`** (array of strings, OPTIONAL) with the same semantics as [IEEE Std 1003.1-2001 `execv`'s *argv*][ieee-1003.1-2001-xsh-exec].
     * **`env`** (array of strings, OPTIONAL) with the same semantics as [IEEE Std 1003.1-2001's `environ`][ieee-1003.1-2001-xbd-c8.1].
     * **`timeout`** (int, OPTIONAL) is the number of seconds before aborting the hook.
   * **`poststart`** (array, OPTIONAL) is an array of [post-start hooks](#poststart).
diff --git a/schema/defs.json b/schema/defs.json
index 5c3bb3969..9f0c56e0f 100644
--- a/schema/defs.json
+++ b/schema/defs.json
@@ -95,7 +95,6 @@
                 }
             },
             "required": [
-                "args",
                 "path"
             ]
         },