diff --git a/src/commands.rs b/src/commands.rs
index f0a8235..5831167 100644
--- a/src/commands.rs
+++ b/src/commands.rs
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ pub async fn getvotes(
 /// ```
 #[poise::command(prefix_command, slash_command)]
 pub async fn ping(ctx: Context<'_>) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error + Send + Sync>> {
+    ctx.defer().await?;
+
     let output = Command::new("ping")
         .args(&["-c", "10", "1.1.1.1"])
         .output()