diff --git a/letta/server/rest_api/optimistic_json_parser.py b/letta/server/rest_api/optimistic_json_parser.py
index 452d29e9..c3a2f069 100644
--- a/letta/server/rest_api/optimistic_json_parser.py
+++ b/letta/server/rest_api/optimistic_json_parser.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class OptimisticJSONParser:
     tries to tolerate incomplete strings and incomplete numbers.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, strict=True):
+    def __init__(self, strict=False):
         self.strict = strict
         self.parsers = {
             " ": self.parse_space,
diff --git a/tests/integration_test_chat_completions.py b/tests/integration_test_chat_completions.py
index 36c7b742..d14ace0e 100644
--- a/tests/integration_test_chat_completions.py
+++ b/tests/integration_test_chat_completions.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def agent(client, roll_dice_tool, weather_tool):
     agent_state = client.create_agent(
         name=f"test_compl_{str(uuid.uuid4())[5:]}",
         tool_ids=[roll_dice_tool.id, weather_tool.id],
-        include_base_tools=False,
+        include_base_tools=True,
     )
     yield agent_state
     client.delete_agent(agent_state.id)