diff --git a/modules/aaa/mod_autht_jwt.c b/modules/aaa/mod_autht_jwt.c
index f48bdd6..f1754cf 100644
--- a/modules/aaa/mod_autht_jwt.c
+++ b/modules/aaa/mod_autht_jwt.c
@@ -616,8 +616,9 @@
         return "error:no-claims";
     }
 
-    if (conf->verifies_set) {
-        srec = (auth_bearer_signature_rec *)conf->verifies->elts;
+    /* sign with the first key, if present */
+    if (conf->signs_set) {
+        srec = (auth_bearer_signature_rec *)conf->signs->elts;
     }
 
     /* create a JWT containing the claims */