diff --git a/src/backend/src/middleware/configurable_auth.js b/src/backend/src/middleware/configurable_auth.js
index 58342ff19..f4237d62f 100644
--- a/src/backend/src/middleware/configurable_auth.js
+++ b/src/backend/src/middleware/configurable_auth.js
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ const is_whoami = (req) => {
 // in endpoints that do not require authentication, but can
 // provide additional functionality if the user is authenticated.
 const configurable_auth = options => async (req, res, next) => {
-    if ( options.no_options_auth && req.method === 'OPTIONS' ) {
+    if ( options?.no_options_auth && req.method === 'OPTIONS' ) {
         return next();
     }