diff --git a/gluon/tools.py b/gluon/tools.py
index 1078f9eb..26814b1b 100644
--- a/gluon/tools.py
+++ b/gluon/tools.py
@@ -1335,7 +1335,7 @@ class AuthJWT(object):
                     if required:
                         raise e
                     token = None
-                if not token:
+                if not token and required:
                     raise HTTP(400, 'Invalid token')
                 if token and len(token) < self.max_header_length:
                     old_verify_expiration = self.verify_expiration