diff --git a/pctasks/core/pctasks/core/cosmos/settings.py b/pctasks/core/pctasks/core/cosmos/settings.py
index 4aa9a795..313d533c 100644
--- a/pctasks/core/pctasks/core/cosmos/settings.py
+++ b/pctasks/core/pctasks/core/cosmos/settings.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ def get_client(self) -> CosmosClient:
             # If the connection string is not set, the credetials are
             # automatically picked up from the environment/managed identity
             assert self.url
-            credential = DefaultAzureCredential()
+            credential = self.key or DefaultAzureCredential()
             return CosmosClient(
                 self.url, credential=credential, connection_verify=connection_verify
             )
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ def get_async_client(self) -> AsyncCosmosClient:
             # If the connection string is not set, the credetials are
             # automatically picked up from the environment/managed identity
             assert self.url
-            credential = azure.identity.aio.DefaultAzureCredential()
+            credential = self.key or azure.identity.aio.DefaultAzureCredential()
             return AsyncCosmosClient(
                 self.url, credential=credential, connection_verify=connection_verify
             )