Error Message with Color Customizer

Using Highend 1.7, I followed the instructions to install the three lines of code into the Config file, per hb-themes.com/forum/all/topic/receiving-sudden-warnings/. However, I still get the error message:
Warning: Creating default object from empty value in /home/firstcap/public_html/wp-content/themes/HighendWP/admin/theme-customizer.php on line 15 (through line 18)
In the identical question posted by lcrosen, Dejan was able to fix the issue — but inexplicably he did not explain that fix in his answer, leaving the rest of us in the dark.
Please provide a detailed explanation of how to fix this persistent issue while we wait for you to release Highend 2.0.