diff --git a/litellm/llms/vertex_ai/gemini/transformation.py b/litellm/llms/vertex_ai/gemini/transformation.py
index e2d62be6a69..84a70ee3bae 100644
--- a/litellm/llms/vertex_ai/gemini/transformation.py
+++ b/litellm/llms/vertex_ai/gemini/transformation.py
@@ -613,11 +613,13 @@ def _get_equivalent_key(key: str, available_keys: set) -> str | None:
     return None
 
 
-def check_if_part_exists_in_parts(parts: list[PartType], part: PartType, excluded_keys: list[str] = []) -> bool:
+def check_if_part_exists_in_parts(parts: list[PartType], part: PartType, excluded_keys: list[str] | None = None) -> bool:
     """
     Check if a part exists in a list of parts
     Handles both camelCase and snake_case key variations (e.g., function_call vs functionCall)
     """
+    if excluded_keys is None:
+        excluded_keys = []
     keys_to_compare: Final = set(part.keys()) - set(excluded_keys)
     for p in parts:
         p_keys = set(p.keys())