diff --git a/litellm/proxy/_experimental/mcp_server/rest_endpoints.py b/litellm/proxy/_experimental/mcp_server/rest_endpoints.py
index aed81afd254..f7745e63f2e 100644
--- a/litellm/proxy/_experimental/mcp_server/rest_endpoints.py
+++ b/litellm/proxy/_experimental/mcp_server/rest_endpoints.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ if MCP_AVAILABLE:
         mcp_server_auth_headers: Optional[Dict[str, Dict[str, str]]],
         mcp_auth_header: Optional[str],
     ) -> Optional[Union[Dict[str, str], str]]:
-        """Helper function to get server-specific auth header with case-insensitive matching."""
+        """Auth from request headers first; otherwise use stored credentials"""
         if mcp_server_auth_headers and server.alias:
             normalized_server_alias = server.alias.lower()
             normalized_headers = {
@@ -66,7 +66,9 @@ if MCP_AVAILABLE:
             server_auth = normalized_headers.get(normalized_server_name)
             if server_auth is not None:
                 return server_auth
-        return mcp_auth_header
+        if mcp_auth_header:
+            return mcp_auth_header
+        return server.authentication_token
 
     def _create_tool_response_objects(tools, server_mcp_info):
         """Helper function to create tool response objects."""
diff --git a/tests/test_litellm/proxy/_experimental/mcp_server/test_rest_endpoints.py b/tests/test_litellm/proxy/_experimental/mcp_server/test_rest_endpoints.py
index 4f93270c162..b4a9d2d57d6 100644
--- a/tests/test_litellm/proxy/_experimental/mcp_server/test_rest_endpoints.py
+++ b/tests/test_litellm/proxy/_experimental/mcp_server/test_rest_endpoints.py
@@ -478,6 +478,7 @@ class TestListToolsRestAPI:
             allowed_tools = None
             mcp_info = {"server_name": "stub"}
             available_on_public_internet = True
+            authentication_token = None
 
         stub_server = StubServer()
 
@@ -596,6 +597,7 @@ class TestCallToolRestAPI:
             allowed_tools = None
             mcp_info = {"server_name": "stub"}
             available_on_public_internet = True
+            authentication_token = None
 
         stub_server = StubServer()