diff --git a/litellm/llms/vertex_ai/vertex_ai_partner_models/anthropic/transformation.py b/litellm/llms/vertex_ai/vertex_ai_partner_models/anthropic/transformation.py
index 77e4e31465d..fde1dd18752 100644
--- a/litellm/llms/vertex_ai/vertex_ai_partner_models/anthropic/transformation.py
+++ b/litellm/llms/vertex_ai/vertex_ai_partner_models/anthropic/transformation.py
@@ -66,12 +66,11 @@ class VertexAIAnthropicConfig(AnthropicConfig):
     @staticmethod
     def get_max_tokens_for_model(model: str | None = None) -> int:
         if model is not None:
-            try:
-                vertex_max: Final = get_max_tokens(f"vertex_ai/{model}")
+            vertex_key: Final = f"vertex_ai/{model}"
+            if vertex_key in litellm.model_cost:  # pyright: ignore[reportUnknownMemberType]  # registry is dynamically typed
+                vertex_max: Final = get_max_tokens(vertex_key)
                 if vertex_max is not None:
                     return vertex_max
-            except Exception:
-                return AnthropicConfig.get_max_tokens_for_model(model)
         return AnthropicConfig.get_max_tokens_for_model(model)
 
     def _add_context_management_beta_headers(self, beta_set: set, context_management: dict) -> None: