diff --git a/api/apps/llm_app.py b/api/apps/llm_app.py
index f59cf2f5a..07232e7a6 100644
--- a/api/apps/llm_app.py
+++ b/api/apps/llm_app.py
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ def set_api_key():
 def add_llm():
     req = request.json
     factory = req["llm_factory"]
-    api_key = req.get("api_key", "")
+    api_key = req.get("api_key", "x")
     llm_name = req["llm_name"]
 
     def apikey_json(keys):