diff --git a/src/talemate/client/lmstudio.py b/src/talemate/client/lmstudio.py
index 5a475d2d..8351dd26 100644
--- a/src/talemate/client/lmstudio.py
+++ b/src/talemate/client/lmstudio.py
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ class LMStudioClient(ClientBase):
                 talemate_parameter="stopping_strings", client_parameter="stop"
             ),
         ]
+        
+    @property
+    def api_key(self):
+        # LMStudio doesn't currently support API keys so we'll just use a dummy key
+        # since the openai client requires it.
+        return "sk-1234"
 
     def make_client(self):
         return AsyncOpenAI(base_url=self.api_url + "/v1", api_key=self.api_key)