diff --git a/aider/llm.py b/aider/llm.py
index 82f86027a..f65398729 100644
--- a/aider/llm.py
+++ b/aider/llm.py
@@ -11,19 +11,22 @@ os.environ["OR_APP_NAME"] = "Aider"
 
 
 class LazyLiteLLM:
-    def __init__(self):
-        self._lazy_module = None
+    _lazy_module = None
 
     def __getattr__(self, name):
-        if self._lazy_module is None:
-            self._lazy_module = importlib.import_module("litellm")
-
-            self._lazy_module.suppress_debug_info = True
-            self._lazy_module.set_verbose = False
-            self._lazy_module.drop_params = True
-
+        self._load_litellm()
         return getattr(self._lazy_module, name)
 
+    def _load_litellm(self):
+        if self._lazy_module is not None:
+            return
+
+        self._lazy_module = importlib.import_module("litellm")
+
+        self._lazy_module.suppress_debug_info = True
+        self._lazy_module.set_verbose = False
+        self._lazy_module.drop_params = True
+
 
 litellm = LazyLiteLLM()
 
diff --git a/aider/main.py b/aider/main.py
index f5e26a863..ea1c622f8 100644
--- a/aider/main.py
+++ b/aider/main.py
@@ -327,7 +327,8 @@ def main(argv=None, input=None, output=None, force_git_root=None, return_coder=F
     if not args.verify_ssl:
         import httpx
 
-        litellm.client_session = httpx.Client(verify=False)
+        litellm._load_litellm()
+        litellm._lazy_module.client_session = httpx.Client(verify=False)
 
     if args.dark_mode:
         args.user_input_color = "#32FF32"