diff --git a/backend/app/auth.py b/backend/app/auth.py
index 464566a..6862643 100644
--- a/backend/app/auth.py
+++ b/backend/app/auth.py
@@ -51,3 +51,15 @@ def get_current_user(
     if user is None or not user.is_active:
         raise credentials_exception
     return user
+
+
+def get_optional_user(
+    access_token: Optional[str] = Cookie(default=None),
+    db: Session = Depends(get_db),
+) -> Optional[models.User]:
+    if not access_token:
+        return None
+    try:
+        return get_current_user(access_token=access_token, db=db)
+    except HTTPException:
+        return None