diff --git a/bot.py b/bot.py
index 6e1b1be..fc79ade 100644
--- a/bot.py
+++ b/bot.py
@@ -97,6 +97,18 @@ class BCSBot(commands.Bot):
         await self.tree.sync()
         logger.info("Slash commands synced.")
 
+        # Warm up the LLM so the model is loaded into VRAM before messages arrive
+        logger.info("Warming up LLM model...")
+        try:
+            resp = await self.llm._client.chat.completions.create(
+                model=self.llm.model,
+                messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "hi"}],
+                max_tokens=1,
+            )
+            logger.info("LLM warm-up complete.")
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("LLM warm-up failed — first messages may be slow: %s", e)
+
     async def on_message(self, message: discord.Message):
         logger.info(
             "EVENT on_message from %s in #%s: %s",