diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index 0f4b8d4..9cb8430 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ Single-file FastAPI app:
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import asyncio
 import json
 import logging
 import os
@@ -811,7 +812,17 @@ async def chat_ws(ws: WebSocket) -> None:
 
             if response_text:
                 history.append({"role": "assistant", "content": response_text})
-            await _send_audio_with_voice(ws, response_text, voice)
+            # TTS runs after text is fully streamed — don't let it block
+            # the WebSocket. If it takes too long, user still has the text.
+            try:
+                await asyncio.wait_for(
+                    _send_audio_with_voice(ws, response_text, voice),
+                    timeout=20.0,
+                )
+            except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+                log.warning("TTS timed out for voice=%s, skipping audio", voice)
+            except Exception:
+                log.exception("TTS failed, continuing without audio")
 
     except WebSocketDisconnect:
         log.info("%s disconnected", user["email"])