diff --git a/gotrue/helpers.py b/gotrue/helpers.py
index 930abd39..a2cfedfa 100644
--- a/gotrue/helpers.py
+++ b/gotrue/helpers.py
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ def parse_auth_response(data: Any) -> AuthResponse:
         and data["expires_in"]
     ):
         session = Session.parse_obj(data)
-    user = User.parse_obj(data["user"]) if "user" in data else User.parse_obj(data)
+    user_data = data.get("user", data)
+    user = User.parse_obj(user_data) if user_data else None
     return AuthResponse(session=session, user=user)