diff --git a/litellm/proxy/management_endpoints/usage_endpoints/ai_usage_chat.py b/litellm/proxy/management_endpoints/usage_endpoints/ai_usage_chat.py
index e15118babb8..fe36ced62bb 100644
--- a/litellm/proxy/management_endpoints/usage_endpoints/ai_usage_chat.py
+++ b/litellm/proxy/management_endpoints/usage_endpoints/ai_usage_chat.py
@@ -177,6 +177,7 @@ async def stream_usage_ai_chat(
       data: {"type": "done"}
       data: {"type": "error", "message": "..."}
     """
+    model = model.strip() if model else ""
     model = model or DEFAULT_COMPETITOR_DISCOVERY_MODEL
 
     chat_messages: List[Dict[str, Any]] = [
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/UsagePage/components/UsageAIChatPanel.tsx b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/UsagePage/components/UsageAIChatPanel.tsx
index 7e53c9eb29b..7ddce26d8b7 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/UsagePage/components/UsageAIChatPanel.tsx
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/UsagePage/components/UsageAIChatPanel.tsx
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ const UsageAIChatPanel: React.FC<UsageAIChatPanelProps> = ({
   };
 
   const handleSend = async () => {
-    if (!accessToken || !inputText.trim() || !selectedModel || isLoading) return;
+    if (!accessToken || !inputText.trim() || isLoading) return;
 
     const userMessage: ChatMessage = { role: "user", content: inputText.trim() };
     const updatedMessages = [...messages, userMessage];
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ const UsageAIChatPanel: React.FC<UsageAIChatPanelProps> = ({
       await usageAiChatStream(
         accessToken,
         updatedMessages.map((m) => ({ role: m.role, content: m.content })),
-        selectedModel,
+        selectedModel || "",
         (content: string) => {
           accumulated += content;
           setStreamingContent(accumulated);
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ const UsageAIChatPanel: React.FC<UsageAIChatPanelProps> = ({
           />
           <Button
             onClick={handleSend}
-            disabled={!inputText.trim() || !selectedModel || isLoading}
+            disabled={!inputText.trim() || isLoading}
             loading={isLoading}
           >
             Send