diff --git a/matter/matter/builder.py b/matter/matter/builder.py
index 039cd373f..9b40bf4e5 100644
--- a/matter/matter/builder.py
+++ b/matter/matter/builder.py
@@ -715,8 +715,8 @@ class PackageBuilder(object):
                             continue
                         obj = self._missing_use_packages.setdefault(pkg.cpv, {})
                         obj["cp:slot"] = pkg.slot_atom
-                        obj.get("changes", {}).update(
-                            copy.deepcopy(new_changes))
+                        changes = obj.setdefault("changes", {})
+                        changes.update(copy.deepcopy(new_changes))
 
             return 0
         print_info("dependency graph generated successfully")