diff --git a/bundles/org.openhab.core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/smarthome/core/items/Metadata.java b/bundles/org.openhab.core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/smarthome/core/items/Metadata.java
index 9159217ed..0215febd2 100644
--- a/bundles/org.openhab.core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/smarthome/core/items/Metadata.java
+++ b/bundles/org.openhab.core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/smarthome/core/items/Metadata.java
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import org.eclipse.smarthome.core.common.registry.Identifiable;
  * This is a data class for storing meta-data for a given item and namespace.
  * It is the entity used for within the {@link MetadataRegistry}.
  *
- * @author Kai Kreuzer - Initial contribution and API
+ * @author Kai Kreuzer - Initial contribution
  *
  */
 @NonNullByDefault
@@ -35,6 +35,17 @@ public final class Metadata implements Identifiable<MetadataKey> {
     private final String value;
     private final Map<String, Object> configuration;
 
+    /**
+     * Package protected default constructor to allow reflective instantiation.
+     *
+     * !!! DO NOT REMOVE - Gson needs it !!!
+     */
+    Metadata() {
+        key = new MetadataKey("", "");
+        value = "";
+        configuration = Collections.emptyMap();
+    }
+
     public Metadata(MetadataKey key, String value, @Nullable Map<String, Object> configuration) {
         this.key = key;
         this.value = value;