diff --git a/backend/routes/generate_code.py b/backend/routes/generate_code.py
index 04f5fa8..76b1fbe 100644
--- a/backend/routes/generate_code.py
+++ b/backend/routes/generate_code.py
@@ -158,9 +158,8 @@ async def stream_code(websocket: WebSocket):
 
     # Get the Anthropic API key from the request. Fall back to environment variable if not provided.
     # If neither is provided, we throw an error later only if Claude is used.
-    anthropic_api_key = None
-    if "anthropicApiKey" in params and params["anthropicApiKey"]:
-        anthropic_api_key = params["anthropicApiKey"]
+    anthropic_api_key = params.get("anthropicApiKey")
+    if anthropic_api_key:
         print("Using Anthropic API key from client-side settings dialog")
     else:
         anthropic_api_key = ANTHROPIC_API_KEY