diff --git a/resources/lib/youtube_plugin/youtube/client/youtube.py b/resources/lib/youtube_plugin/youtube/client/youtube.py
index c9f68038e..45c7fd1bc 100644
--- a/resources/lib/youtube_plugin/youtube/client/youtube.py
+++ b/resources/lib/youtube_plugin/youtube/client/youtube.py
@@ -1809,7 +1809,8 @@ def api_request(self,
         client = self.build_client(version, client_data)
 
         if 'key' in client['params'] and not client['params']['key']:
-            client['params']['key'] = self._config_tv['key']
+            client['params']['key'] = (self._config.get('key')
+                                       or self._config_tv['key'])
 
         if method != 'POST' and 'json' in client:
             del client['json']