diff --git a/src/middleware/jwt.rs b/src/middleware/jwt.rs
index 8fd1939..95b4781 100644
--- a/src/middleware/jwt.rs
+++ b/src/middleware/jwt.rs
@@ -47,20 +47,19 @@ impl JwtMiddleware {
 
 impl Middleware for JwtMiddleware {
     fn run(&self, mut req: Request<Incoming>) -> MiddlewareFuture<'_> {
-        let path = req.uri().path().to_string();
-        let public_routes = self.public_routes.clone();
+        let is_public_path = self.public_routes.contains(&req.uri().path().to_string());
 
         Box::pin(async move {
-            if public_routes.contains(&path) {
-                return MiddlewareResult::Continue(req);
-            }
-
             match self.validate_request(&req) {
                 Ok(claims) => {
                     req.extensions_mut().insert(claims);
                     MiddlewareResult::Continue(req)
                 }
                 Err(e) => {
+                    if is_public_path {
+                        return MiddlewareResult::Continue(req);
+                    }
+
                     error!(target: "auth", "JWT validation failed: {}", e);
                     let res = Responder::unauthorized().expect("Responder failed");
                     MiddlewareResult::Respond(res)