diff --git a/sdk/python/feast/infra/utils/snowflake/snowflake_utils.py b/sdk/python/feast/infra/utils/snowflake/snowflake_utils.py
index b9035b40dbf..b9254e72699 100644
--- a/sdk/python/feast/infra/utils/snowflake/snowflake_utils.py
+++ b/sdk/python/feast/infra/utils/snowflake/snowflake_utils.py
@@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ def chunk_helper(lst: pd.DataFrame, n: int) -> Iterator[Tuple[int, pd.DataFrame]
 
 
 def parse_private_key_path(
-    private_key_passphrase: str,
+    private_key_passphrase: Optional[str] = None,
     key_path: Optional[str] = None,
     private_key_content: Optional[bytes] = None,
 ) -> bytes:
@@ -521,14 +521,18 @@ def parse_private_key_path(
     if private_key_content:
         p_key = serialization.load_pem_private_key(
             private_key_content,
-            password=private_key_passphrase.encode(),
+            password=private_key_passphrase.encode()
+            if private_key_passphrase is not None
+            else None,
             backend=default_backend(),
         )
     elif key_path:
         with open(key_path, "rb") as key:
             p_key = serialization.load_pem_private_key(
                 key.read(),
-                password=private_key_passphrase.encode(),
+                password=private_key_passphrase.encode()
+                if private_key_passphrase is not None
+                else None,
                 backend=default_backend(),
             )
     else:
diff --git a/sdk/python/tests/unit/infra/utils/snowflake/test_snowflake_utils.py b/sdk/python/tests/unit/infra/utils/snowflake/test_snowflake_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8ae6ec63ba5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sdk/python/tests/unit/infra/utils/snowflake/test_snowflake_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+import tempfile
+from typing import Optional
+
+import pytest
+from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization
+from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric import rsa
+
+from feast.infra.utils.snowflake.snowflake_utils import parse_private_key_path
+
+PRIVATE_KEY_PASSPHRASE = "test"
+
+
+def _pem_private_key(passphrase: Optional[str]):
+    private_key = rsa.generate_private_key(public_exponent=65537, key_size=2048)
+    return private_key.private_bytes(
+        encoding=serialization.Encoding.PEM,
+        format=serialization.PrivateFormat.TraditionalOpenSSL,
+        encryption_algorithm=(
+            serialization.BestAvailableEncryption(passphrase.encode())
+            if passphrase
+            else serialization.NoEncryption()
+        ),
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def unencrypted_private_key():
+    return _pem_private_key(None)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def encrypted_private_key():
+    return _pem_private_key(PRIVATE_KEY_PASSPHRASE)
+
+
+def test_parse_private_key_path_key_content_unencrypted(unencrypted_private_key):
+    parse_private_key_path(
+        None,
+        None,
+        unencrypted_private_key,
+    )
+
+
+def test_parse_private_key_path_key_content_encrypted(encrypted_private_key):
+    parse_private_key_path(
+        PRIVATE_KEY_PASSPHRASE,
+        None,
+        encrypted_private_key,
+    )
+
+
+def test_parse_private_key_path_key_path_unencrypted(unencrypted_private_key):
+    with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode="wb") as f:
+        f.write(unencrypted_private_key)
+        f.flush()
+        parse_private_key_path(
+            None,
+            f.name,
+            None,
+        )
+
+
+def test_parse_private_key_path_key_path_encrypted(encrypted_private_key):
+    with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode="wb") as f:
+        f.write(encrypted_private_key)
+        f.flush()
+        parse_private_key_path(
+            PRIVATE_KEY_PASSPHRASE,
+            f.name,
+            None,
+        )