diff --git a/utils/api.ts b/utils/api.ts
index d8320e96..14c30ff3 100644
--- a/utils/api.ts
+++ b/utils/api.ts
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ export const auth = (
             }
         }
 
-        if (challengeData) {
+        if (challengeData && config.validation.challenges.enabled) {
             const challengeCheck = await checkRouteNeedsChallenge(
                 challengeData,
                 context,