diff --git a/litellm/proxy/proxy_server.py b/litellm/proxy/proxy_server.py
index 108124d2b8..325b566d48 100644
--- a/litellm/proxy/proxy_server.py
+++ b/litellm/proxy/proxy_server.py
@@ -3278,7 +3278,7 @@ async def generate_key_helper_fn(
     permissions_json = json.dumps(permissions)
     metadata_json = json.dumps(metadata)
     model_max_budget_json = json.dumps(model_max_budget)
-    user_role = user_role or "app_user"
+    user_role = user_role
     tpm_limit = tpm_limit
     rpm_limit = rpm_limit
     allowed_cache_controls = allowed_cache_controls