diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml b/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
index e7caf75..63459ec 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
@@ -35,8 +35,12 @@ jobs:
         run: chmod +x ./gradlew
 
       - name: Create local.properties
+        env:
+          MAPS_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.MAPS_API_KEY }}
         run: |
-          echo "MAPS_API_KEY=${{ secrets.MAPS_API_KEY }}" > local.properties
+          if [ -n "$MAPS_API_KEY" ]; then
+            echo "MAPS_API_KEY=$MAPS_API_KEY" > local.properties
+          fi
 
       - name: Run Build, Lint, and Test
         run: >-
diff --git a/app/build.gradle.kts b/app/build.gradle.kts
index a93c6fb..58cf5f8 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ plugins {
     alias(libs.plugins.kotlin.serialization)
 }
 
+secrets {
+    defaultPropertiesFileName = "local.defaults.properties"
+}
+
 kotlin {
     compilerOptions {
         jvmTarget = JvmTarget.JVM_17
diff --git a/local.defaults.properties b/local.defaults.properties
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..995b0da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local.defaults.properties
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+MAPS_API_KEY=DEFAULT_API_KEY