diff --git a/crates/verify/src/bytecode.rs b/crates/verify/src/bytecode.rs
index f801ff7715e5..d84acbccc998 100644
--- a/crates/verify/src/bytecode.rs
+++ b/crates/verify/src/bytecode.rs
@@ -135,8 +135,12 @@ impl VerifyBytecodeArgs {
         self.etherscan_opts.chain = Some(chain);
         self.etherscan_opts.key =
             config.get_etherscan_config_with_chain(Some(chain))?.map(|c| c.key);
-        // Create etherscan client
-        let etherscan = Client::new(chain, self.etherscan_opts.key.clone().unwrap())?;
+
+        // If etherscan key is not set, we can't proceed with etherscan verification
+        let Some(key) = self.etherscan_opts.key.clone() else {
+            eyre::bail!("Etherscan API key is required for verification");
+        };
+        let etherscan = Client::new(chain, key)?;
 
         // Get the constructor args using `source_code` endpoint
         let source_code = etherscan.contract_source_code(self.address).await?;
@@ -170,7 +174,7 @@ impl VerifyBytecodeArgs {
         if provided_constructor_args != constructor_args.to_string() && !self.json {
             println!(
                 "{}",
-                Paint::red("The provider constructor args do not match the constructor args from etherscan. This will result in a mismatch - Using the args from etherscan").bold(),
+                Paint::red("The provided constructor args do not match the constructor args from etherscan. This will result in a mismatch - Using the args from etherscan").bold(),
             );
         }