diff --git a/static/script.js b/static/script.js
index a8598cc..df1dfb4 100644
--- a/static/script.js
+++ b/static/script.js
@@ -720,7 +720,8 @@ document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
         const apiKey = apiKeyInput.value.trim();
         const selectedModel = apiModelSelect?.value || 'gemini-3-pro-image-preview';
 
-        if (!apiKey) {
+        // API Key is optional for Whisk, but required for Gemini
+        if (!apiKey && selectedModel !== 'whisk') {
             openApiSettings();
             return;
         }