diff --git a/langfuse/client.py b/langfuse/client.py
index e9a4a5a59..df59647db 100644
--- a/langfuse/client.py
+++ b/langfuse/client.py
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ def __init__(
 
         self.httpx_client = httpx_client or httpx.Client(timeout=timeout)
 
-        self.client = FernLangfuse(
+        public_api_client = FernLangfuse(
             base_url=self.base_url,
             username=public_key,
             password=secret_key,
@@ -300,6 +300,9 @@ def __init__(
             timeout=timeout,
         )
 
+        self.api = public_api_client
+        self.client = public_api_client  # legacy, to be removed in next major release
+
         langfuse_client = LangfuseClient(
             public_key=public_key,
             secret_key=secret_key,