diff --git a/run.py b/run.py
index c717c55..9238a83 100644
--- a/run.py
+++ b/run.py
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ from dotenv import load_dotenv
 # Load the .env file if it exists
 load_dotenv()
 os.environ["HF_HUB_ENABLE_HF_TRANSFER"] = os.getenv("HF_HUB_ENABLE_HF_TRANSFER", "1")
+# the hf-xet download backend stalls forever mid-download (no timeout); force plain HTTP
+os.environ["HF_HUB_DISABLE_XET"] = os.getenv("HF_HUB_DISABLE_XET", "1")
 os.environ["NO_ALBUMENTATIONS_UPDATE"] = "1"
 seed = None
 if "SEED" in os.environ: