diff --git a/programs/tokenized_vault/src/instructions/direct_deposit.rs b/programs/tokenized_vault/src/instructions/direct_deposit.rs
index 0bd1af1..44b8a49 100644
--- a/programs/tokenized_vault/src/instructions/direct_deposit.rs
+++ b/programs/tokenized_vault/src/instructions/direct_deposit.rs
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ pub struct DirectDeposit<'info> {
         bump,
         seeds::program = access_control.key()
     )]
-    pub kyc_verified: Account<'info, UserRole>,
+    pub kyc_verified: UncheckedAccount<'info>,
 
     #[account(mut)]
     pub user: Signer<'info>,
diff --git a/programs/tokenized_vault/src/utils/vault.rs b/programs/tokenized_vault/src/utils/vault.rs
index 3c4d9a2..4021231 100644
--- a/programs/tokenized_vault/src/utils/vault.rs
+++ b/programs/tokenized_vault/src/utils/vault.rs
@@ -39,8 +39,10 @@ pub fn validate_deposit<'info>(
         return Err(ErrorCode::ExceedDepositLimit.into());
     }
 
-    if vault.kyc_verified_only && !kyc_verified.deserialize::<UserRole>()?.has_role {
-        return Err(ErrorCode::KYCRequired.into());
+    if vault.kyc_verified_only {
+        if kyc_verified.data_is_empty() || !kyc_verified.deserialize::<UserRole>()?.has_role {
+            return Err(ErrorCode::KYCRequired.into());
+        }
     }
 
     if vault.whitelisted_only && !user_data.whitelisted {