diff --git a/backend/helpers/auth_guard.py b/backend/helpers/auth_guard.py
index b9dd97234133eaeec0862ed3d5f671a5c31f858c..6d0f480b7db1bff38196320e24842d8ab9d17286 100644
--- a/backend/helpers/auth_guard.py
+++ b/backend/helpers/auth_guard.py
@@ -30,7 +30,10 @@ def kratos_webhook():
         @wraps(fn)
         def decorator(*args, **kwargs):
             header = request.headers.get("Authorization")
-            if header is not None and header == os.environ.get("KRATOS_WEBHOOK_SECRET"):
+            # TO DO: uncomment line below once merged to main
+            # if header is not None and header == os.environ.get("KRATOS_WEBHOOK_SECRET"):
+            # TO DO: remove line below once merged to main
+            if header is not None and header == os.environ.get("KRATOS_WEBHOOK_SECRET", "test-kratos-hooks-remove-before-merge"):
                 return fn(*args, **kwargs)
             else:
                 raise Unauthorized("This needs a valid api key.")