diff --git a/python/semantic_kernel/connectors/memory/azure_cognitive_search/azure_cognitive_search_memory_store.py b/python/semantic_kernel/connectors/memory/azure_cognitive_search/azure_cognitive_search_memory_store.py
index 927385114606..227a96599d0b 100644
--- a/python/semantic_kernel/connectors/memory/azure_cognitive_search/azure_cognitive_search_memory_store.py
+++ b/python/semantic_kernel/connectors/memory/azure_cognitive_search/azure_cognitive_search_memory_store.py
@@ -81,7 +81,6 @@ def __init__(
             if acs_memory_settings and acs_memory_settings.api_key
             else None
         )
-        assert admin_key, "The ACS admin_key is required to connect to Azure Cognitive Search."
         search_endpoint = search_endpoint or (
             acs_memory_settings.endpoint if acs_memory_settings and acs_memory_settings.endpoint else None
         )