diff --git a/packages/realtime_client/lib/src/realtime_channel.dart b/packages/realtime_client/lib/src/realtime_channel.dart
index fe7b4ca8..8ca989b4 100644
--- a/packages/realtime_client/lib/src/realtime_channel.dart
+++ b/packages/realtime_client/lib/src/realtime_channel.dart
@@ -491,7 +491,8 @@ class RealtimeChannel {
     if (!canPush && type == RealtimeListenTypes.broadcast) {
       final headers = <String, String>{
         'Content-Type': 'application/json',
-        'apikey': socket.params['apikey'] ?? '',
+        if (socket.params['apikey'] != null)
+          'apikey': socket.params['apikey']!,
         ...socket.headers,
         'Authorization':
             socket.accessToken != null ? 'Bearer ${socket.accessToken}' : '',