diff --git a/litellm/llms/anthropic/experimental_pass_through/utils.py b/litellm/llms/anthropic/experimental_pass_through/utils.py
index d975bee0bc2..4fd68ef535f 100644
--- a/litellm/llms/anthropic/experimental_pass_through/utils.py
+++ b/litellm/llms/anthropic/experimental_pass_through/utils.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import os
 from typing import Optional
 
 import litellm
+from litellm.types.utils import ModelInfo
 
 
 def is_reasoning_auto_summary_enabled() -> bool:
@@ -31,25 +32,26 @@ def normalize_reasoning_effort_value(
 
     from litellm.utils import get_model_info
 
+    model_info: Optional[ModelInfo] = None
     try:
         model_info = get_model_info(
             model=model, custom_llm_provider=custom_llm_provider
         )
     except Exception:
-        model_info = {}
+        model_info = None
 
     if effort == "max":
-        if model_info.get("supports_max_reasoning_effort"):
+        if model_info and model_info.get("supports_max_reasoning_effort"):
             return "max"
-        if model_info.get("supports_xhigh_reasoning_effort"):
+        if model_info and model_info.get("supports_xhigh_reasoning_effort"):
             return "xhigh"
         return "high"
     elif effort == "xhigh":
-        if model_info.get("supports_xhigh_reasoning_effort"):
+        if model_info and model_info.get("supports_xhigh_reasoning_effort"):
             return "xhigh"
         return "high"
     elif effort == "minimal":
-        if model_info.get("supports_minimal_reasoning_effort"):
+        if model_info and model_info.get("supports_minimal_reasoning_effort"):
             return "minimal"
         return "low"
     return "medium"