diff --git a/server/routes/federation.js b/server/routes/federation.js
index 40fa1d3..45cd975 100644
--- a/server/routes/federation.js
+++ b/server/routes/federation.js
@@ -118,12 +118,15 @@ router.post('/receive', async (req, res) => {
         }
 
         const signature = req.headers['x-federation-signature'];
-        const payload = req.body;
+        const payload = req.body || {};
 
         if (!signature) {
             return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Missing federation signature' });
         }
 
+        // Extract expected fields from the incoming payload
+        const { invite_id, from_user, to_user, room_name, message, join_url } = payload;
+
         if (!invite_id || !from_user || !to_user || !room_name || !join_url) {
             return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Incomplete invitation payload' });
         }