diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 7be1606..ea341a3 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ services:
       VAPID_PRIVATE_KEY: "${VAPID_PRIVATE_KEY:-}"
       VAPID_PUBLIC_KEY: "${VAPID_PUBLIC_KEY:-}"
       VAPID_CLAIMS_SUB: "${VAPID_CLAIMS_SUB:-mailto:admin@fabledassistant.local}"
+      # Prevent HuggingFace from making network calls at startup once models are cached:
+      HF_HUB_OFFLINE: "${HF_HUB_OFFLINE:-0}"
     healthcheck:
       test: ["CMD", "python", "-c", "import urllib.request; urllib.request.urlopen('http://localhost:5000/api/health')"]
       interval: 10s