diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index ad5834c..79c7f44 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ internals.implementation = function (server, options) {
     authenticate: function (request, reply) {
       var token = extract(request, options);
 
-      if (!token && request.auth.mode === 'optional') {
+      if (!token && request.auth.mode !== 'required') {
         return reply.continue({ credentials: {} });
       }