diff --git a/backend/open_webui/routers/openai.py b/backend/open_webui/routers/openai.py
index aae86e49e..e5db9e146 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/routers/openai.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/routers/openai.py
@@ -979,7 +979,7 @@ async def generate_chat_completion(
 
     # Check if model is already in app state cache to avoid expensive get_all_models() call
     models = request.app.state.OPENAI_MODELS
-    if not models or model not in models:
+    if not models or model_id not in models:
         await get_all_models(request, user=user)
         models = request.app.state.OPENAI_MODELS
     model = models.get(model_id)