diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index e01a0e797de..1df9ed2ce4c 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -5597,6 +5597,8 @@ class HermesCLI:
             self.agent = None
 
         # Initialize agent if needed
+        if self.agent is None:
+            _cprint(f"{_DIM}Initializing agent...{_RST}")
         if not self._init_agent(
             model_override=turn_route["model"],
             runtime_override=turn_route["runtime"],