We present a mass model for the inner Galaxy which requires very little dark matter to account for the circular velocity at the Sun. We show that this model is compatible with most observational constraints, except that the circular speed does not drop below 210 km s−1 between 1 and 4kpc, contrary to most empirical determinations. We argue that the apparent dip is due to the absence of gas or non-circular motions in this region of the Galaxy and that our model describes the axisymmetric mass distribution. A dark halo may still be required to account for the rotation curve beyond the solar circle.