diff --git a/server/api/collaboration_request.py b/server/api/collaboration_request.py
index 3b8a68739..c7ca8d8ab 100644
--- a/server/api/collaboration_request.py
+++ b/server/api/collaboration_request.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def request_collaboration():
 
     cleanse_short_name(data)
 
-    message = data["message"]
+    message = data.get("message")
     auto_create = organisation.collaboration_creation_allowed
     entitlement = current_app.app_config.collaboration_creation_allowed_entitlement
     auto_aff = user.entitlement and entitlement in user.entitlement
diff --git a/server/test/api/test_collaboration_request.py b/server/test/api/test_collaboration_request.py
index 728efee14..dbbb88acc 100644
--- a/server/test/api/test_collaboration_request.py
+++ b/server/test/api/test_collaboration_request.py
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ def test_request_collaboration(self):
         data = {
             "name": "New Collaboration",
             "short_name": "new_collaboration_short",
-            "message": "pretty please",
             "organisation_id": organisation.id
         }
         with self.app.mail.record_messages() as outbox: