diff --git a/openai_chat.py b/openai_chat.py
index 9cd9e0e..8305b0f 100644
--- a/openai_chat.py
+++ b/openai_chat.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class OpenaiChat(PyOperator):
                  api_key: str = None,
                  **kwargs
                  ):
-        openai.api_key = os.getenv('OPENAI_API_KEY', api_key)
+        openai.api_key = api_key or os.getenv('OPENAI_API_KEY')
         self._model = model_name
         self.stream = kwargs.pop('stream') if 'stream' in kwargs else False
         self.kwargs = kwargs