diff --git a/backend/open_webui/utils/task.py b/backend/open_webui/utils/task.py
index 203c429d2..15213b1f0 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/utils/task.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/utils/task.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def get_task_model_id(default_model_id: str, task_model: str, task_model_externa
     # Set the task model
     task_model_id = default_model_id
     # Check if the user has a custom task model and use that model
-    if models[task_model_id].get('connection_type') == 'local':
+    if models.get(task_model_id, {}).get('connection_type') == 'local':
         if task_model and task_model in models:
             task_model_id = task_model
     else: