diff --git a/routes/listening_post.py b/routes/listening_post.py
index ac1dbe3..0c2be71 100644
--- a/routes/listening_post.py
+++ b/routes/listening_post.py
@@ -914,29 +914,35 @@ def stream_audio() -> Response:
     if not audio_running or not audio_process:
         return Response(b'', mimetype='audio/mpeg', status=204)
 
-    def generate():
-        # Capture local reference to avoid race condition with stop
-        proc = audio_process
-        if not proc or not proc.stdout:
-            return
-        try:
-            while audio_running and proc.poll() is None:
-                # Use select to avoid blocking forever
-                ready, _, _ = select.select([proc.stdout], [], [], 2.0)
-                if ready:
-                    chunk = proc.stdout.read(4096)
-                    if chunk:
-                        yield chunk
-                    else:
-                        break
-                else:
-                    # Timeout - check if process died
-                    if proc.poll() is not None:
-                        break
-        except GeneratorExit:
-            pass
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Audio stream error: {e}")
+    def generate():
+        # Capture local reference to avoid race condition with stop
+        proc = audio_process
+        if not proc or not proc.stdout:
+            return
+        try:
+            # First byte timeout to avoid hanging clients forever
+            first_chunk_deadline = time.time() + 3.0
+            while audio_running and proc.poll() is None:
+                # Use select to avoid blocking forever
+                ready, _, _ = select.select([proc.stdout], [], [], 2.0)
+                if ready:
+                    chunk = proc.stdout.read(4096)
+                    if chunk:
+                        yield chunk
+                    else:
+                        break
+                else:
+                    # If no data arrives shortly after start, exit so caller can retry
+                    if time.time() > first_chunk_deadline:
+                        logger.warning("Audio stream timed out waiting for first chunk")
+                        break
+                    # Timeout - check if process died
+                    if proc.poll() is not None:
+                        break
+        except GeneratorExit:
+            pass
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Audio stream error: {e}")
 
     return Response(
         generate(),