diff --git a/apps/api/src/contacts/people.controller.ts b/apps/api/src/contacts/people.controller.ts
index b8a43f8..0f0401b 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/contacts/people.controller.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/contacts/people.controller.ts
@@ -82,7 +82,11 @@ export class PeopleController {
 
   @Post()
   create(@CurrentUser() user: Actor, @Body() dto: CreatePersonDto) {
-    return this.peopleService.create(user, dto);
+    return this.peopleService.create(user, {
+      ...dto,
+      firstName: dto.firstName ?? '',
+      lastName: dto.lastName ?? '',
+    });
   }
 
   @Patch(':id')
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/index.ts b/packages/shared/src/index.ts
index 0893249..99fce49 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/index.ts
@@ -423,8 +423,8 @@ export interface PersonDto {
 }
 
 export interface CreatePersonRequest {
-  firstName: string;
-  lastName: string;
+  firstName?: string;
+  lastName?: string;
   email?: string;
   phone?: string;
   mobile?: string;