diff --git a/letta/llm_api/openai.py b/letta/llm_api/openai.py
index b83c4de4..39852be8 100644
--- a/letta/llm_api/openai.py
+++ b/letta/llm_api/openai.py
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ from letta.utils import get_tool_call_id, smart_urljoin
 logger = get_logger(__name__)
 
 
+# TODO: MOVE THIS TO OPENAI_CLIENT
 def openai_check_valid_api_key(base_url: str, api_key: Union[str, None]) -> None:
     if api_key:
         try:
diff --git a/letta/schemas/providers/openai.py b/letta/schemas/providers/openai.py
index ed9d5988..c01a9542 100644
--- a/letta/schemas/providers/openai.py
+++ b/letta/schemas/providers/openai.py
@@ -20,10 +20,10 @@ class OpenAIProvider(Provider):
     provider_type: Literal[ProviderType.openai] = Field(ProviderType.openai, description="The type of the provider.")
     provider_category: ProviderCategory = Field(ProviderCategory.base, description="The category of the provider (base or byok)")
     api_key: str = Field(..., description="API key for the OpenAI API.")
-    base_url: str = Field(..., description="Base URL for the OpenAI API.")
+    base_url: str = Field("https://api.openai.com/v1", description="Base URL for the OpenAI API.")
 
     async def check_api_key(self):
-        from letta.llm_api.openai import openai_check_valid_api_key
+        from letta.llm_api.openai import openai_check_valid_api_key  # TODO: DO NOT USE THIS - old code path
 
         openai_check_valid_api_key(self.base_url, self.api_key)