diff --git a/litellm/identity/adapter.py b/litellm/identity/adapter.py
index acb2d2f0797..39b8a0ffc5e 100644
--- a/litellm/identity/adapter.py
+++ b/litellm/identity/adapter.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def _principal_from_uak(uak: "UserAPIKeyAuth") -> Principal:
         return ServiceAccountPrincipal(name=name)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
 
     if kind == "jwt":
-        claims = uak.jwt_claims
+        claims = uak.jwt_claims or {}
         aud = claims.get("aud")
         return JWTPrincipal(
             sub=claims.get("sub"),