diff --git a/libs/core/langchain_core/load/load.py b/libs/core/langchain_core/load/load.py
index ed832e69dbb..eb50fddcc4b 100644
--- a/libs/core/langchain_core/load/load.py
+++ b/libs/core/langchain_core/load/load.py
@@ -265,6 +265,8 @@ def load(
             return reviver(loaded_obj)
         if isinstance(obj, list):
             return [_load(o) for o in obj]
+        if isinstance(obj, str) and obj in reviver.secrets_map:
+            return reviver.secrets_map[obj]
         return obj
 
     return _load(obj)
diff --git a/libs/core/tests/unit_tests/load/test_load.py b/libs/core/tests/unit_tests/load/test_load.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..aa2b3259156
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/core/tests/unit_tests/load/test_load.py
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+"""Test for Serializable base class."""
+
+from langchain_core.load.load import load
+
+
+def test_load_with_string_secrets() -> None:
+    obj = {"api_key": "__SECRET_API_KEY__"}
+    secrets_map = {"__SECRET_API_KEY__": "hello"}
+    result = load(obj, secrets_map=secrets_map)
+
+    assert result["api_key"] == "hello"