diff --git a/src/controlflow/orchestration/orchestrator.py b/src/controlflow/orchestration/orchestrator.py
index df1de20c..08d902cc 100644
--- a/src/controlflow/orchestration/orchestrator.py
+++ b/src/controlflow/orchestration/orchestrator.py
@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ class Orchestrator(ControlFlowModel):
         description="The strategy to use for managing agent turns",
         validate_default=True,
     )
-    handlers: list[Union[Handler, AsyncHandler]] = Field(None, validate_default=True)
+    handlers: list[Union[Handler, AsyncHandler]] = Field(
+        None, validate_default=True, exclude=True
+    )
 
     @field_validator("turn_strategy", mode="before")
     def _validate_turn_strategy(cls, v):