diff --git a/litellm/proxy/_types.py b/litellm/proxy/_types.py
index e089c0429..05efc7495 100644
--- a/litellm/proxy/_types.py
+++ b/litellm/proxy/_types.py
@@ -1,13 +1,20 @@
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Extra, Field, model_validator, Json, ConfigDict
 from dataclasses import fields
 import enum
-from typing import Optional, List, Union, Dict, Literal, Any
+from typing import Optional, List, Union, Dict, Literal, Any, TYPE_CHECKING
 from datetime import datetime
 import uuid, json, sys, os
 from litellm.types.router import UpdateRouterConfig
 from litellm.types.utils import ProviderField
 from typing_extensions import Annotated
-from opentelemetry.trace import Span
+
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from opentelemetry.trace import Span as _Span
+
+    Span = _Span
+else:
+    Span = Any
 
 
 class LitellmUserRoles(str, enum.Enum):