diff --git a/chirps/asset/providers/api_endpoint.py b/chirps/asset/providers/api_endpoint.py
index 4f95108..ebc71e0 100644
--- a/chirps/asset/providers/api_endpoint.py
+++ b/chirps/asset/providers/api_endpoint.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def decrypted_api_key(self):
 
     def _send_request(self, message: str) -> requests.Response:
         # Convert headers JSON string into a dictionary
-        headers_dict = json.loads(self.headers) if self.headers else {}
+        headers_dict = self.headers or {}
 
         # Build the request headers
         headers = headers_dict.copy()