diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Evaluations/ArenaModelModal.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Evaluations/ArenaModelModal.svelte
index e13200db8..5f64137e4 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Evaluations/ArenaModelModal.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Evaluations/ArenaModelModal.svelte
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@
 			description = model.meta.description;
 			modelIds = model.meta.model_ids || [];
 			filterMode = model.meta?.filter_mode ?? 'include';
-			accessControl = model.meta?.access_control ?? {};
+			accessControl = 'access_control' in model.meta ? model.meta.access_control : {};
 		}
 	};