diff --git a/src/model.py b/src/model.py
index 7cbc2888..d80ca81d 100644
--- a/src/model.py
+++ b/src/model.py
@@ -179,7 +179,11 @@ async def generate(self, request):
             ).as_numpy()[0]
             if isinstance(prompt, bytes):
                 prompt = prompt.decode("utf-8")
-            stream = pb_utils.get_input_tensor_by_name(request, "stream").as_numpy()[0]
+            stream = pb_utils.get_input_tensor_by_name(request, "stream")
+            if stream:
+                stream = stream.as_numpy()[0]
+            else:
+                stream = False
 
             # Request parameters are not yet supported via
             # BLS. Provide an optional mechanism to receive serialized