diff --git a/templates/chat.html b/templates/chat.html
index 8d2eb90..5ed7589 100755
--- a/templates/chat.html
+++ b/templates/chat.html
@@ -1670,16 +1670,14 @@ async function loadModelSettings() {
         const response = await fetch('/api/chat/settings');
         const data = await response.json();
         if (data.success) {
-            // Load model preference
-            if (data.model) {
-                currentModel = data.model;
-                const config = MODEL_CONFIG[data.model] || MODEL_CONFIG['flash'];
-                document.getElementById('modelLabel').textContent = config.label;
-                document.getElementById('modelIcon').textContent = config.icon;
-                document.querySelectorAll('.thinking-option').forEach(opt => {
-                    opt.classList.toggle('active', opt.dataset.model === data.model);
-                });
-            }
+            // Always start with Flash (free, fast) - ignore saved preference
+            currentModel = 'flash';
+            const config = MODEL_CONFIG['flash'];
+            document.getElementById('modelLabel').textContent = config.label;
+            document.getElementById('modelIcon').textContent = config.icon;
+            document.querySelectorAll('.thinking-option').forEach(opt => {
+                opt.classList.toggle('active', opt.dataset.model === 'flash');
+            });
             // Load monthly cost
             if (data.monthly_cost !== undefined) {
                 monthlyUsageCost = data.monthly_cost;