diff --git a/lib/inspec/metadata.rb b/lib/inspec/metadata.rb
index a6f00c1c2..49c13cbbb 100644
--- a/lib/inspec/metadata.rb
+++ b/lib/inspec/metadata.rb
@@ -47,7 +47,12 @@ module Inspec
     def supports_transport?(backend)
       # make sure the supports field is always an array
       supp = params[:supports]
-      supp = [supp] unless supp.is_a?(Array)
+      supp = supp.is_a?(Hash) ? [supp] : Array(supp)
+
+      # with no supports specified, always return true, as there are no
+      # constraints on the supported backend; it is equivalent to putting
+      # all fields into accept-all mode
+      return true if supp.empty?
 
       found = supp.find do |entry|
         try_support = self.class.symbolize_keys(entry)
diff --git a/test/unit/metadata_test.rb b/test/unit/metadata_test.rb
index 46853f003..79d73e3a3 100644
--- a/test/unit/metadata_test.rb
+++ b/test/unit/metadata_test.rb
@@ -20,7 +20,12 @@ describe 'metadata with supported operating systems' do
       Inspec::Metadata.finalize(res, 'mock')
       res
     end
-    
+
+    it 'load a profile with empty supports clause' do
+      m = create_meta(nil)
+      m.supports_transport?(backend).must_equal true
+    end
+
     it 'loads a profile which supports os ubuntu' do
       m = create_meta({ 'os' => 'ubuntu' })
       m.supports_transport?(backend).must_equal true