diff --git a/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/channel.dart b/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/channel.dart
index fe25626e..fdd1d1d6 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/channel.dart
+++ b/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/channel.dart
@@ -811,7 +811,7 @@ class Channel {
   Future<SendReactionResponse> sendReaction(
     Message message,
     String type, {
-    int? score,
+    int score = 1,
     Map<String, Object?> extraData = const {},
     bool enforceUnique = false,
   }) async {
@@ -830,7 +830,7 @@ class Channel {
       createdAt: now,
       type: type,
       user: user,
-      score: 1,
+      score: score,
       extraData: extraData,
     );
 
@@ -863,17 +863,11 @@ class Channel {
 
     state?.addMessage(newMessage);
 
-    if (score != null) {
-      extraData.putIfAbsent(
-        'score',
-        () => score,
-      );
-    }
-
     try {
       final reactionResp = await _client.sendReaction(
         messageId,
         type,
+        score: score,
         extraData: extraData,
         enforceUnique: enforceUnique,
       );
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/client.dart b/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/client.dart
index a9486c08..f44f3d52 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/client.dart
+++ b/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/client.dart
@@ -1157,15 +1157,22 @@ class StreamChatClient {
   Future<SendReactionResponse> sendReaction(
     String messageId,
     String reactionType, {
+    int score = 1,
     Map<String, Object?> extraData = const {},
     bool enforceUnique = false,
-  }) =>
-      _chatApi.message.sendReaction(
-        messageId,
-        reactionType,
-        extraData: extraData,
-        enforceUnique: enforceUnique,
-      );
+  }) {
+    extraData.putIfAbsent(
+      'score',
+      () => score,
+    );
+
+    return _chatApi.message.sendReaction(
+      messageId,
+      reactionType,
+      extraData: extraData,
+      enforceUnique: enforceUnique,
+    );
+  }
 
   /// Delete a [reactionType] from this [messageId]
   Future<EmptyResponse> deleteReaction(