diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/google/gemini_live/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/google/gemini_live/llm.py
index 18b2c2e8a..3e282e7ee 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/google/gemini_live/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/google/gemini_live/llm.py
@@ -794,7 +794,7 @@ class GeminiLiveLLMService(LLMService):
         self._last_sent_time = 0
         self._base_url = base_url
 
-        self._system_instruction_from_init = system_instruction
+        self._system_instruction_from_init = self._settings.system_instruction
         self._tools_from_init = tools
         self._inference_on_context_initialization = inference_on_context_initialization
         self._needs_initial_turn_complete_message = False