diff --git a/vllm/entrypoints/openai/server_utils.py b/vllm/entrypoints/openai/server_utils.py
index 02b8c335262..f8fe3366b06 100644
--- a/vllm/entrypoints/openai/server_utils.py
+++ b/vllm/entrypoints/openai/server_utils.py
@@ -69,7 +69,10 @@ class AuthenticationMiddleware:
         return token_match
 
     def __call__(self, scope: Scope, receive: Receive, send: Send) -> Awaitable[None]:
-        if scope["type"] not in ("http", "websocket") or scope["method"] == "OPTIONS":
+        if (
+            scope["type"] not in ("http", "websocket")
+            or scope.get("method") == "OPTIONS"
+        ):
             # scope["type"] can be "lifespan" or "startup" for example,
             # in which case we don't need to do anything
             return self.app(scope, receive, send)