diff --git a/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi.py b/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi.py
index de623c833..15798f1e0 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi.py
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ class RTVIMessage(BaseModel):
 
 
 class RTVIErrorResponseData(BaseModel):
-    error: Optional[str] = None
+    error: str
 
 
 class RTVIErrorResponse(BaseModel):