diff --git a/cmd/cmd.go b/cmd/cmd.go
index b569ddddcb..c661df4e76 100644
--- a/cmd/cmd.go
+++ b/cmd/cmd.go
@@ -1080,10 +1080,11 @@ func chat(cmd *cobra.Command, opts runOptions) (*api.Message, error) {
 	var state *displayResponseState = &displayResponseState{}
 	var latest api.ChatResponse
 	var fullResponse strings.Builder
-	var role string
 	var thinkTagOpened bool = false
 	var thinkTagClosed bool = false
 
+	role := "assistant"
+
 	fn := func(response api.ChatResponse) error {
 		if response.Message.Content != "" || !opts.HideThinking {
 			p.StopAndClear()