diff --git a/backend/internal/service/openai_gateway_service.go b/backend/internal/service/openai_gateway_service.go
index 76e8abd4..8d78770e 100644
--- a/backend/internal/service/openai_gateway_service.go
+++ b/backend/internal/service/openai_gateway_service.go
@@ -969,6 +969,10 @@ func (s *OpenAIGatewayService) Forward(ctx context.Context, c *gin.Context, acco
 		}
 	}
 
+	if usage == nil {
+		usage = &OpenAIUsage{}
+	}
+
 	reasoningEffort := extractOpenAIReasoningEffort(reqBody, originalModel)
 
 	return &OpenAIForwardResult{