diff --git a/cmd/core-runtime/main.go b/cmd/core-runtime/main.go
index 8ba842c..f7ed7e1 100644
--- a/cmd/core-runtime/main.go
+++ b/cmd/core-runtime/main.go
@@ -664,9 +664,12 @@ func main() {
 			http.Error(w, "invalid chat message", http.StatusBadRequest)
 			return
 		}
-		session, ok := authenticateCreator(w, r)
-		if !ok && request.SyntheticAcceptance {
+		var session identity.CreatorSession
+		var ok bool
+		if request.SyntheticAcceptance {
 			session, ok = authenticateAcceptanceSession(w, r)
+		} else {
+			session, ok = authenticateCreator(w, r)
 		}
 		if !ok {
 			return