diff --git a/src/docker_publisher_osparc_services/models.py b/src/docker_publisher_osparc_services/models.py
index ab1c772..3d40827 100644
--- a/src/docker_publisher_osparc_services/models.py
+++ b/src/docker_publisher_osparc_services/models.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ class RepoModel(BaseModel):
     @model_validator(mode="before")
     @classmethod
     def require_access_token(cls, values):
-        if values["host_type"] == HostType.GITLAB and values("gitlab", None) is None:
+        if values["host_type"] == HostType.GITLAB and values.get("gitlab", None) is None:
             raise ValueError(
                 f"Provide a valid 'gitlab' field for {HostType.GITLAB} repo"
             )