diff --git a/mesh_bot.py b/mesh_bot.py
index d5aa21c..6eb2ddf 100755
--- a/mesh_bot.py
+++ b/mesh_bot.py
@@ -916,16 +916,19 @@ def onReceive(packet, interface):
                     if games_enabled and (hop == "Direct" or hop_count < game_hop_limit):
                         playingGame = checkPlayingGame(message_from_id, message_string, rxNode, channel_number)
                     else:
-                        playingGame = False
                         if games_enabled:
                             logger.warning(f"Device:{rxNode} Ignoring Request to Play Game: {message_string} From: {get_name_from_number(message_from_id, 'long', rxNode)} with hop count: {hop}")
                             send_message(f"Your hop count exceeds safe playable distance at {hop_count} hops", channel_number, message_from_id, rxNode)
+                            time.sleep(responseDelay)
+                        else:
+                            playingGame = False
 
                     if not playingGame:
                         if llm_enabled:
                             # respond with LLM
                             llm = handle_llm(message_from_id, channel_number, rxNode, message_string, publicChannel)
                             send_message(llm, channel_number, message_from_id, rxNode)
+                            time.sleep(responseDelay)
                         else:
                             # respond with welcome message on DM
                             logger.warning(f"Device:{rxNode} Ignoring DM: {message_string} From: {get_name_from_number(message_from_id, 'long', rxNode)}")