diff --git a/src/serviceproviders.js b/src/serviceproviders.js
index e2ed548..ea77e15 100644
--- a/src/serviceproviders.js
+++ b/src/serviceproviders.js
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ const match = (uri, opts) => {
 }
 
 const directRequestHandler = async (spData) => {
-  const res = await req(spData.proof.fetch ? spData.proof.fetch : spData.proof.uri, {}, { Accept: 'application/json' })
+  const res = await req(spData.proof.fetch ? spData.proof.fetch : spData.proof.uri, 'json', { Accept: 'application/json' })
 
   switch (spData.proof.format) {
     case 'json':