diff --git a/app/internal/bot_manager.py b/app/internal/bot_manager.py
index 45d148d..5b604f0 100644
--- a/app/internal/bot_manager.py
+++ b/app/internal/bot_manager.py
@@ -87,11 +87,12 @@ class VoiceCog(commands.Cog):
                 print(f"Failed to connect to {channel.name} in guild {guild.name}. Error: {e}")
                 return False
 
-        # --- IMPORTANT: Validate voice_client_to_use BEFORE passing to NoiseGate ---
         if not voice_client_to_use:
             print(f"Failed to obtain a valid VoiceClient object for guild {guild.name}.")
             return False
 
+        print("Selected voice client to use.")
+
         if discord.opus.is_loaded():
             # Create and start the NoiseGate audio stream for this server
             # Ensure the correct voice client is passed
@@ -188,6 +189,9 @@ class DiscordBotManager:
 
         @self.bot.event
         async def on_ready():
+            if not load_opus():
+                print("Failed to load Opus library. Bot cannot start voice features.")
+                return
             print(f'Bot fully ready: {self.bot.user}')
             # Set initial presence when the bot is ready
             await self.set_presence("Broadcasting...", discord.Game)
@@ -199,16 +203,12 @@ class DiscordBotManager:
         
         self.token = token
 
-        if not load_opus():
-            print("Failed to load Opus library. Bot cannot start voice features.")
-            return
-
         await self._setup_bot()
 
         print("Starting bot...")
         try:
             # Run the bot in a separate task so we can control it
-            self._bot_task = asyncio.create_task(self.bot.start(self.token))
+            self._bot_task = asyncio.create_task(self.bot.run(self.token))
             # Wait for the bot to connect (optional, useful for ensuring it's ready)
             await self.bot.wait_until_ready()
             print("Bot started and is ready.")