diff --git a/spacy/tests/training/test_training.py b/spacy/tests/training/test_training.py
index 7933ea31f..bff84e924 100644
--- a/spacy/tests/training/test_training.py
+++ b/spacy/tests/training/test_training.py
@@ -1144,6 +1144,7 @@ def test_training_before_update(doc):
         max_steps=100,
         exclude=[],
         annotating_components=[],
+        rehearse_components=[],
         before_update=before_update,
     )
 
diff --git a/spacy/training/loop.py b/spacy/training/loop.py
index 4f50d6a94..9368384ae 100644
--- a/spacy/training/loop.py
+++ b/spacy/training/loop.py
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ def train_while_improving(
     max_steps: int,
     exclude: List[str],
     annotating_components: List[str],
-    rehearse_components: Optional[List[str]] = [],
+    rehearse_components: List[str],
     before_update: Optional[Callable[["Language", Dict[str, Any]], None]],
 ):
     """Train until an evaluation stops improving. Works as a generator,