diff --git a/examples/foundational/45-llm-hedge.py b/examples/foundational/45-llm-hedge.py
index e5d1715df..b292e64e7 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/45-llm-hedge.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/45-llm-hedge.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import os
 
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
 from loguru import logger
+from openai.types.chat import ChatCompletionMessageParam
 
 from pipecat.audio.vad.silero import SileroVADAnalyzer
 from pipecat.frames.frames import Frame, LLMMessagesFrame
@@ -132,18 +133,17 @@ class LLMRaceProcessor(FrameProcessor):
 async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     logger.info(f"Starting bot with parallel LLM racing")
 
-    stt = DeepgramSTTService(api_key=os.getenv("DEEPGRAM_API_KEY"))
+    stt = DeepgramSTTService(api_key=os.getenv("DEEPGRAM_API_KEY", ""))
 
     tts = CartesiaTTSService(
-        api_key=os.getenv("CARTESIA_API_KEY"),
+        api_key=os.getenv("CARTESIA_API_KEY", ""),
         voice_id="71a7ad14-091c-4e8e-a314-022ece01c121",  # British Reading Lady
     )
 
     # Create two LLM instances for racing
     llm1 = OpenAILLMService(api_key=os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
     llm2 = OpenAILLMService(api_key=os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
-
-    messages = [
+    messages: list[ChatCompletionMessageParam] = [
         {
             "role": "system",
             "content": "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be converted to audio so don't include special characters in your answers. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way.",