diff --git a/librechat.yaml b/librechat.yaml
index 3c18ef1..a081ead 100644
--- a/librechat.yaml
+++ b/librechat.yaml
@@ -179,11 +179,7 @@ mcpServers:
     # Per-user credentials aren't available at boot; each member initializes
     # their own connection after saving their key in the MCP panel.
     startup: false
-    customUserVars:
-      IC_API_KEY:
-        title: "Inference Co-op API key"
-        description: "Auto-loaded from your membership — no action needed."
-        sensitive: true
+    # Images bill to the co-op system key (SYSTEM_IMAGE_KEY) — no per-user
+    # credential gate, so a brand-new member can generate immediately.
     env:
-      IC_API_KEY: "{{IC_API_KEY}}"
       SYSTEM_IMAGE_KEY: "${SYSTEM_IMAGE_KEY}"