diff --git a/app/controllers/api/v1/base_controller.rb b/app/controllers/api/v1/base_controller.rb
index b62b3e063..045e4395e 100644
--- a/app/controllers/api/v1/base_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/api/v1/base_controller.rb
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ module Api
       end
 
       def authenticate_shared_key
-        api_key = "Basic #{ENV['api_shared_key']}"
+        api_key = "Basic #{ENV['internal_api_key']}"
         head(:unauthorized) unless api_key == request.authorization
       end
 
diff --git a/config/application.yml.sample b/config/application.yml.sample
index 5885c47a2..21f1df8e0 100644
--- a/config/application.yml.sample
+++ b/config/application.yml.sample
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ registrant_api_auth_allowed_ips: '127.0.0.1, 0.0.0.0' #ips, separated with comma
 # Bounces API
 api_shared_key: testkey
 
+# Link to REST-WHOIS API
+internal_api_key: testkey
+
 # Base URL (inc. https://) of REST registrant portal
 # Leave blank to use internal registrant portal
 registrant_portal_verifications_base_url: ''