diff --git a/pytorch3d/structures/meshes.py b/pytorch3d/structures/meshes.py
index 027a60b1..0cc36dcd 100644
--- a/pytorch3d/structures/meshes.py
+++ b/pytorch3d/structures/meshes.py
@@ -214,8 +214,8 @@ class Meshes:
 
     def __init__(
         self,
-        verts=None,
-        faces=None,
+        verts,
+        faces,
         textures=None,
         *,
         verts_normals=None,
diff --git a/tests/test_meshes.py b/tests/test_meshes.py
index c61f3c4e..a0e940df 100644
--- a/tests/test_meshes.py
+++ b/tests/test_meshes.py
@@ -265,9 +265,7 @@ class TestMeshes(TestCaseMixin, unittest.TestCase):
             self.assertTrue(mesh_to_edges_packed_first_idx[0] == 0)
 
     def test_allempty(self):
-        verts_list = []
-        faces_list = []
-        mesh = Meshes(verts=verts_list, faces=faces_list)
+        mesh = Meshes(verts=[], faces=[])
         self.assertEqual(len(mesh), 0)
         self.assertEqual(mesh.verts_padded().shape[0], 0)
         self.assertEqual(mesh.faces_padded().shape[0], 0)