diff --git a/src/crewai/utilities/llm_utils.py b/src/crewai/utilities/llm_utils.py
index 3c6f1eb75..2242d305b 100644
--- a/src/crewai/utilities/llm_utils.py
+++ b/src/crewai/utilities/llm_utils.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from crewai.llm import LLM, BaseLLM
 
 def create_llm(
     llm_value: Union[str, LLM, Any, None] = None,
-) -> Optional[LLM]:
+) -> Optional[LLM | BaseLLM]:
     """
     Creates or returns an LLM instance based on the given llm_value.
 
diff --git a/tests/custom_llm_test.py b/tests/custom_llm_test.py
index 38716cc65..6bee5b31d 100644
--- a/tests/custom_llm_test.py
+++ b/tests/custom_llm_test.py
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@ class CustomLLM(BaseLLM):
     that returns a predefined response for testing purposes.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, response="Default response"):
+    def __init__(self, response="Default response", model="test-model"):
         """Initialize the CustomLLM with a predefined response.
 
         Args:
             response: The predefined response to return from call().
         """
-        super().__init__()
+        super().__init__(model=model)
         self.response = response
         self.call_count = 0
 
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ def test_custom_llm_implementation():
 @pytest.mark.vcr(filter_headers=["authorization"])
 def test_custom_llm_within_crew():
     """Test that a custom LLM implementation works with create_llm."""
-    custom_llm = CustomLLM(response="Hello! Nice to meet you!")
+    custom_llm = CustomLLM(response="Hello! Nice to meet you!", model="test-model")
 
     agent = Agent(
         role="Say Hi",
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ def test_custom_llm_within_crew():
 
 def test_custom_llm_message_formatting():
     """Test that the custom LLM properly formats messages"""
-    custom_llm = CustomLLM(response="Test response")
+    custom_llm = CustomLLM(response="Test response", model="test-model")
 
     # Test with string input
     result = custom_llm.call("Test message")
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ class JWTAuthLLM(BaseLLM):
     """Custom LLM implementation with JWT authentication."""
 
     def __init__(self, jwt_token: str):
-        super().__init__()
+        super().__init__(model="test-model")
         if not jwt_token or not isinstance(jwt_token, str):
             raise ValueError("Invalid JWT token")
         self.jwt_token = jwt_token
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ class TimeoutHandlingLLM(BaseLLM):
             max_retries: Maximum number of retry attempts.
             timeout: Timeout in seconds for each API call.
         """
-        super().__init__()
+        super().__init__(model="test-model")
         self.max_retries = max_retries
         self.timeout = timeout
         self.calls = []