diff --git a/lib/active_model_serializers/adapter/json_api.rb b/lib/active_model_serializers/adapter/json_api.rb
index 83c75ea82..ce9acb6f5 100644
--- a/lib/active_model_serializers/adapter/json_api.rb
+++ b/lib/active_model_serializers/adapter/json_api.rb
@@ -151,8 +151,11 @@ def success_document
           hash[:links].update(pagination_links_for(serializer))
         end
 
-        hash[:meta] = instance_options[:meta] unless instance_options[:meta].blank?
-
+        hash[:meta] = instance_options[:meta]
+        
+        if instance_options[:meta].blank?
+          hash[:meta] ||= {}
+        end
         hash
       end
       # rubocop:enable Metrics/CyclomaticComplexity