diff --git a/spark_executor/core/yarn_client.py b/spark_executor/core/yarn_client.py
index 5a0b8e4..fc32c60 100644
--- a/spark_executor/core/yarn_client.py
+++ b/spark_executor/core/yarn_client.py
@@ -114,9 +114,12 @@ def _base_url(yarn_rm_url: str | None) -> str:
 def _request(method: str, url: str, *, json_body: dict | None = None,
              timeout: float = 30.0, verify: bool | str = True,
              auth: httpx.Auth | None = None) -> httpx.Response:
+    headers = {"Accept": "application/json"}
     logger.debug(f"YARN {method} {url}" + (f" body={json_body}" if json_body else ""))
     try:
-        resp = httpx.request(method, url, json=json_body, timeout=timeout, verify=verify, auth=auth)
+        resp = httpx.request(
+            method, url, json=json_body, headers=headers, timeout=timeout, verify=verify, auth=auth
+        )
     except httpx.HTTPError as exc:
         logger.error(f"YARN {method} {url} failed: {exc}")
         raise YarnError(f"YARN connection failed: {exc}") from exc
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_yarn_client.py b/tests/unit/test_yarn_client.py
index 8e8ea22..7a3024f 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_yarn_client.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_yarn_client.py
@@ -62,6 +62,13 @@ def test_status_parses_app_state():
     assert m.call_args.kwargs["verify"] is True
 
 
+def test_request_sends_accept_json_header():
+    fake = _resp(200, json_data={"app": {"id": "application_1", "state": "RUNNING"}})
+    with patch("spark_executor.core.yarn_client.httpx.request", return_value=fake) as m:
+        get_application_status("application_1", YarnClientConfig(yarn_rm_url=RM))
+    assert m.call_args.kwargs["headers"] == {"Accept": "application/json"}
+
+
 def test_status_raises_on_404():
     with patch("spark_executor.core.yarn_client.httpx.request", return_value=_resp(404)):
         with pytest.raises(YarnError, match="not found"):