diff --git a/plugins/scaffolder-backend/src/service/router.ts b/plugins/scaffolder-backend/src/service/router.ts
index 6a22547b12..d74bfca5b1 100644
--- a/plugins/scaffolder-backend/src/service/router.ts
+++ b/plugins/scaffolder-backend/src/service/router.ts
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ export interface RouterOptions {
   taskBroker?: TaskBroker;
   additionalTemplateFilters?: Record<string, TemplateFilter>;
   additionalTemplateGlobals?: Record<string, TemplateGlobal>;
-  permissionApi: PermissionEvaluator;
+  permissionApi?: PermissionEvaluator;
   identity?: IdentityApi;
 }
 
@@ -576,6 +576,10 @@ export async function createRouter(
       );
     }
 
+    if (!permissionApi) {
+      return template;
+    }
+
     const [parameterDecision, stepDecision] =
       await permissionApi.authorizeConditional(
         [