diff --git a/backend/config/settings/gcp.py b/backend/config/settings/gcp.py
index 00460921..ab01ed64 100644
--- a/backend/config/settings/gcp.py
+++ b/backend/config/settings/gcp.py
@@ -8,4 +8,11 @@ MIDDLEWARE.append("api.middleware.RangesMiddleware")  # noqa: F405
 DJANGO_DRF_FILEPOND_STORAGES_BACKEND = "storages.backends.gcloud.GoogleCloudStorage"
 GS_BUCKET_NAME = env("BUCKET_NAME", "doccano")
 GS_PROJECT_ID = env("GS_PROJECT_ID")
-GS_CREDENTIALS = service_account.Credentials.from_service_account_file(env("GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS"))
+
+# for more details refer to
+# https://django-storages.readthedocs.io/en/latest/backends/gcloud.html#authentication-settings
+_google_application_credentials = env("GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS", "")
+if _google_application_credentials:
+    GS_CREDENTIALS = service_account.Credentials.from_service_account_file(
+        _google_application_credentials
+    )