diff --git a/backend/test_observer/controllers/test_executions/models.py b/backend/test_observer/controllers/test_executions/models.py
index 64416eeb..2000e2e9 100644
--- a/backend/test_observer/controllers/test_executions/models.py
+++ b/backend/test_observer/controllers/test_executions/models.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 from datetime import datetime
 from enum import Enum
-from typing import Annotated, Literal
+from typing import Annotated, Literal, Optional
 
 from pydantic import (
     AliasPath,
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class _StartTestExecutionRequest(BaseModel):
     arch: str
     execution_stage: StageName
     environment: str
-    ci_link: Annotated[str, HttpUrl]
+    ci_link: Optional[Annotated[str, HttpUrl]]
     test_plan: str = Field(max_length=200)
     initial_status: TestExecutionStatus = TestExecutionStatus.IN_PROGRESS
 
diff --git a/backend/tests/controllers/test_executions/test_start_test.py b/backend/tests/controllers/test_executions/test_start_test.py
index 76c0f4ec..afb466ca 100644
--- a/backend/tests/controllers/test_executions/test_start_test.py
+++ b/backend/tests/controllers/test_executions/test_start_test.py
@@ -361,3 +361,12 @@ def test_sets_initial_test_execution_status(db_session: Session, execute: Execut
     te = db_session.get(TestExecution, response.json()["id"])
     assert te is not None
     assert te.status == TestExecutionStatus.NOT_STARTED
+
+
+def test_allows_null_ci_link(db_session: Session, execute: Execute):
+    response = execute({**deb_test_request, "ci_link": None})
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    te = db_session.get(TestExecution, response.json()["id"])
+    assert te is not None
+    assert te.ci_link == None