diff --git a/contrib/docs/tutorials/authenticate-api-requests.md b/contrib/docs/tutorials/authenticate-api-requests.md
index c8f4083a0c..6c5fabd709 100644
--- a/contrib/docs/tutorials/authenticate-api-requests.md
+++ b/contrib/docs/tutorials/authenticate-api-requests.md
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ export const createAuthMiddleware = async (
         // Authorization header may be forwarded by plugin requests
         req.headers.authorization = `Bearer ${token}`;
       }
-      if (token && token !== req.cookies.token) {
+      if (token && token !== req.cookies?.token) {
         setTokenCookie(res, {
           token,
           secure,