diff --git a/docs/configuration.md b/docs/configuration.md
index 9b0cb80..a035caa 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/configuration.md
@@ -2837,7 +2837,7 @@ state_response_template:
 #
 #  The above example assumes a json response with multiple fields in a struct
 #  is received. Individual measurements are extracted from that struct, coerced
-#  to a numeric format and passed to Moonraker. The default is the payload.
+#  to a numeric format and passed to Moonraker. This parameter must be provided.
 ```
 
 !!! Note
diff --git a/moonraker/components/sensor.py b/moonraker/components/sensor.py
index ea6b16b..5115bd2 100644
--- a/moonraker/components/sensor.py
+++ b/moonraker/components/sensor.py
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ class MQTTSensor(BaseSensor):
         self.mqtt: MQTTClient = self.server.load_component(cfg, "mqtt")
 
         self.state_topic: str = cfg.get("state_topic")
-        self.state_response = cfg.load_template("state_response_template", "{payload}")
+        self.state_response = cfg.gettemplate("state_response_template")
         self.config = replace(self.config, source=self.state_topic)
         self.qos: Optional[int] = cfg.getint("qos", None, minval=0, maxval=2)