diff --git a/src/utilities/githubAPI.mjs b/src/utilities/githubAPI.mjs
index d6b7b70ddd41..ded4f1f96b1a 100644
--- a/src/utilities/githubAPI.mjs
+++ b/src/utilities/githubAPI.mjs
@@ -20,7 +20,13 @@ if (
   });
   console.log('api is authenticated on vercel');
 } else {
-  api = new GithubAPI();
-  console.log('api is not authenticated');
+  api = new GithubAPI({
+    auth: process.env.GITHUB_TOKEN,
+  });
+  console.log(
+    typeof process.env.GITHUB_TOKEN === 'undefined'
+      ? 'api is not authenticated'
+      : 'api is authenticated locally'
+  );
 }
 export default api;