diff --git a/cogs/aimod_cog.py b/cogs/aimod_cog.py
index 40a4bed..5f24f9f 100644
--- a/cogs/aimod_cog.py
+++ b/cogs/aimod_cog.py
@@ -1105,6 +1105,8 @@ class AIModerationCog(commands.Cog):
             )
             return
 
+        await interaction.response.defer(thinking=True, ephemeral=True)
+
         scenarios = [
             ("Warn for spam", "I got excited and posted too many messages."),
             (
@@ -2704,6 +2706,7 @@ CRITICAL: Do NOT output anything other than the required JSON response.
     @app_commands.checks.has_permissions(administrator=True)
     async def aidebug_appeal_tests(self, interaction: discord.Interaction):
         """Run a few hardcoded appeals through the appeal AI for testing."""
+        await interaction.response.defer(thinking=True, ephemeral=True)
         scenarios = [
             (
                 "WARN",