diff --git a/lib/utils/transcription-utils.js b/lib/utils/transcription-utils.js
index 038e8b72..986b29bc 100644
--- a/lib/utils/transcription-utils.js
+++ b/lib/utils/transcription-utils.js
@@ -741,7 +741,7 @@ module.exports = (logger) => {
 
       opts = {
         ...opts,
-        JAMBONZ_STT_API_KEY: auth_token,
+        ...(auth_token && {JAMBONZ_STT_API_KEY: auth_token}),
         JAMBONZ_STT_URL: custom_stt_url,
         ...(Object.keys(options).length > 0 && {JAMBONZ_STT_OPTIONS: JSON.stringify(options)}),
       };