diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 467fa51..bb8e59b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -33,17 +33,14 @@ directory:
 the list of shows the bot should take screencaps from is read from a YAML file with the following structure:
 
 ```yaml
+Char's Counterattack:
+  path: /home/user/media/Gundam_CCA.mkv
 Gundam 0079:
   path: /home/user/media/Mobile Suit Gundam 0079/
   tags:
     - MSG 0079
     - "0079"
     - First Gundam
-Char's Counterattack:
-  path: /home/user/media/Gundam_CCA.mkv
-  tags:
-    - Char's Counterattack
-    - "Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack"
 ```
 
 each top-level key is a show title, which will be used in spoiler
@@ -53,4 +50,4 @@ warnings on posts and in image alt text.  each show has two keys:
   containing numbered video files for each episode of a series. all of
   the episodes must be directly inside the directory, the bot will not
   traverse subdirectories to find files.
-- `tags`: a list of tags to put on posts from this show.
+- `tags`: an optional list of tags to put on posts from this show.
diff --git a/src/shows/mod.rs b/src/shows/mod.rs
index 9abed11..e9df5f1 100644
--- a/src/shows/mod.rs
+++ b/src/shows/mod.rs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ mod enumeration;
 #[derive(Deserialize)]
 pub struct Show {
     pub path: PathBuf,
+    #[serde(default)]
     pub tags: Vec<String>,
 }