diff --git a/swarms/agents/models/openai.py b/swarms/agents/models/openai.py
index 8edd5cd3..a553c9b6 100644
--- a/swarms/agents/models/openai.py
+++ b/swarms/agents/models/openai.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class OpenAI:
                  model=None,
                  params=None,
                  save_messages=True):
-        self.api_key = api_key or self._fetch_api_key()
+        self.api_key = api_key or self.fetch_api_key()
         self.system = system or "You are a helpful assistant"
 
         try: