diff --git a/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/conversation.py b/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/conversation.py
index fb54d74f..1144d70f 100644
--- a/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/conversation.py	
+++ b/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/conversation.py	
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class Conversation:
     # The entire message history
     messages: list[ChatMessage] = dataclasses.field(default_factory=list)
 
-    async def respond(self, client: openai.AsyncOpenAI) -> ChatMessage:
+    async def respond(self, client: openai.AsyncOpenAI | None) -> ChatMessage:
         """
         Creates an AI generated response for this conversation and appends it
         to the messages list. Also returns the new message.
@@ -56,18 +56,26 @@ class Conversation:
         ]
 
         # Generate a response
-        api_response = await client.chat.completions.create(
-            model="gpt-3.5-turbo",
-            messages=api_messages,
-            max_tokens=500,
-        )
+        if client is None:
+            response_text = """
+This template requires an OpenAI API key to work
 
-        assert isinstance(api_response.choices[0].message.content, str)
+You can get your API key from https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
+Make sure to enter your key into the `__init__.py` file before trying to run the project.
+            """.strip()
+        else:
+            api_response = await client.chat.completions.create(
+                model="gpt-3.5-turbo",
+                messages=api_messages,
+                max_tokens=500,
+            )
 
+            assert isinstance(api_response.choices[0].message.content, str)
+            response_text = api_response.choices[0].message.content
         response = ChatMessage(
             role="assistant",
             timestamp=datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc),
-            text=api_response.choices[0].message.content,
+            text=response_text,
         )
 
         # Append the message and return it as well
diff --git a/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/pages/chat_page.py b/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/pages/chat_page.py
index 27ff000d..67c9c0a3 100644
--- a/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/pages/chat_page.py	
+++ b/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/pages/chat_page.py	
@@ -81,10 +81,15 @@ class ChatPage(rio.Component):
         self.is_loading = True
         self.force_refresh()
 
+        try:
+            openai_client = self.session[openai.AsyncOpenAI]
+        except KeyError:
+            openai_client = None
+
         # Generate a response
         try:
             await self.conversation.respond(
-                client=self.session[openai.AsyncOpenAI],
+                client=openai_client,
             )
 
         # Don't get stuck in loading state if an error occurs
diff --git a/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/root_init.py b/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/root_init.py
index 75a61b26..b57c88de 100644
--- a/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/root_init.py	
+++ b/rio/snippets/snippet-files/project-template-AI Chatbot/root_init.py	
@@ -14,20 +14,23 @@ OPENAI_API_KEY = "<placeholder>"  # Replace this with your OpenAI API key
 # yet. Feel free to delete this code if you've already replaced the key.
 
 if OPENAI_API_KEY == "<placeholder>":
-    message = """
+    print(
+        """
 This template requires an OpenAI API key to work
 
-You can get your API key from [OpenAI's website](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
-Make sure to enter your key into the `__init__.py` file before trying to run the project
+You can get your API key from https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
+Make sure to enter your key into the `__init__.py` file before trying to run the project.
 """.strip()
-
-    print(message)
-    raise RuntimeError(message)
+    )
+    OPENAI_CLIENT = None
+else:
+    OPENAI_CLIENT = openai.AsyncOpenAI(api_key=OPENAI_API_KEY)
 
 
 def on_app_start(app: rio.App) -> None:
     # Create the OpenAI client and attach it to the app
-    app.default_attachments.append(openai.AsyncOpenAI(api_key=OPENAI_API_KEY))
+    if OPENAI_CLIENT is not None:
+        app.default_attachments.append(OPENAI_CLIENT)
 
 
 # </additional-code>