diff --git a/api/api/api.py b/api/api/api.py
index 2d61d13..7105574 100644
--- a/api/api/api.py
+++ b/api/api/api.py
@@ -160,6 +160,9 @@ def ask():
         
         amount_wei = w3.to_wei(amount, 'ether')
         try:
+            # convert to checksum address
+            recipient = w3.to_checksum_address(recipient)
+
             if token_address == 'native':
                 tx_hash = claim_native(w3, app.config['FAUCET_ADDRESS'], recipient, amount_wei)
             else:
diff --git a/api/tests/test_api.py b/api/tests/test_api.py
index 63379e5..fa11a7e 100644
--- a/api/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/api/tests/test_api.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import os
 from conftest import api_prefix
 # from mock import patch
-from temp_env_var import TEMP_ENV_VARS, NATIVE_TRANSFER_TX_HASH, TOKEN_TRANSFER_TX_HASH, ZERO_ADDRESS, CAPTCHA_TEST_RESPONSE_TOKEN, NATIVE_TOKEN_AMOUNT, NATIVE_TOKEN_ADDRESS, ERC20_TOKEN_ADDRESS
+from temp_env_var import TEMP_ENV_VARS, NATIVE_TRANSFER_TX_HASH, TOKEN_TRANSFER_TX_HASH, ZERO_ADDRESS, CAPTCHA_TEST_RESPONSE_TOKEN, NATIVE_TOKEN_AMOUNT, NATIVE_TOKEN_ADDRESS, ERC20_TOKEN_AMOUNT, ERC20_TOKEN_ADDRESS
 
 
 class BaseTest:
@@ -82,6 +82,15 @@ def test_ask_route_parameters(self, client):
         })
         assert response.status_code == 400
 
+        response = client.post(api_prefix + '/ask', json={
+            'captcha': CAPTCHA_TEST_RESPONSE_TOKEN,
+            'chainId': TEMP_ENV_VARS['FAUCET_CHAIN_ID'],
+            'amount': ERC20_TOKEN_AMOUNT,
+            'recipient': '0x00000123',
+            'tokenAddress': ERC20_TOKEN_ADDRESS
+        })
+        assert response.status_code == 400
+
         # missing token address, should return 400
         response = client.post(api_prefix + '/ask', json={
             'captcha': CAPTCHA_TEST_RESPONSE_TOKEN,