diff --git a/realtime/middlewares/authenticate.js b/realtime/middlewares/authenticate.js
index 022ba1f597..3e521e52d2 100644
--- a/realtime/middlewares/authenticate.js
+++ b/realtime/middlewares/authenticate.js
@@ -16,8 +16,12 @@ function authenticate_with_frappe(socket, next) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (!socket.request.headers.cookie) {
-		next(new Error("No cookie transmitted."));
+	if (!socket.request.headers.cookie && !socket.request.headers.authorization) {
+		next(
+			new Error(
+				"Missing cookie and authorization header. Either one needed for authentication."
+			)
+		);
 		return;
 	}