diff --git a/models/v1beta1/pattern/patterns.go b/models/v1beta1/pattern/patterns.go
index 50a3b64920..7e52dfcf07 100644
--- a/models/v1beta1/pattern/patterns.go
+++ b/models/v1beta1/pattern/patterns.go
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ type PatternFile struct {
 	// Preferences Design-level preferences
 	Preferences *struct {
 		// Layers List of available layers
-		Layers []string `json:"layers"`
-	} `json:"preferences,omitempty"`
+		Layers map[string]interface{} `json:"layers" yaml:"layers"`
+	} `json:"preferences,omitempty" yaml:"preferences,omitempty"`
 
 	// Relationships List of relationships between components
 	Relationships []*relationship.RelationshipDefinition `json:"relationships" yaml:"relationships"`