diff --git a/server/inference.py b/server/inference.py
index 76792fe..08e775b 100644
--- a/server/inference.py
+++ b/server/inference.py
@@ -59,11 +59,12 @@ async def connect_to_conversation(ws: WebSocket):
   if conversation_id == "new":
     await ws.send_text(json({"i": conversation.id}))
 
+  first = True
   async for message in ws.iter_text():
-    if system_prompt:
+    if first:
       await ws.send_text(json({"sys": system_prompt}))
     response = conversation.prompt(message, system=system_prompt, stream=True)
-    system_prompt = None
+    first = False
 
     response_tid = tid_now()
     await ws.send_text(json({"u": message}))