diff --git a/bin/v-check-api-key b/bin/v-check-api-key
index 8d0d409e1..2c6ccd0ac 100755
--- a/bin/v-check-api-key
+++ b/bin/v-check-api-key
@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@ time_n_date=$(date +'%T %F')
 time=$(echo "$time_n_date" |cut -f 1 -d \ )
 date=$(echo "$time_n_date" |cut -f 2 -d \ )
 
+if [[ -z $key || ${#key} -lt 16 ]]; then
+    echo "Error: not valid keysh"
+    echo "$date $time api $ip failed to login" >> $VESTA/log/auth.log
+    exit 9
+fi
 
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 #                       Action                             #