diff --git a/custom_components/groqd/conversation.py b/custom_components/groqd/conversation.py
index 00a8167..f957c37 100644
--- a/custom_components/groqd/conversation.py
+++ b/custom_components/groqd/conversation.py
@@ -257,6 +257,14 @@ class GroqdConversationEntity(
             {"type": "json_object"} if response_format == "json_object" else NOT_GIVEN
         )
 
+        max_tokens_value = options.get(CONF_MAX_TOKENS, DEFAULT_MAX_TOKENS)
+        try:
+            max_tokens_value = int(max_tokens_value)
+        except (TypeError, ValueError):
+            max_tokens_value = DEFAULT_MAX_TOKENS
+        if max_tokens_value <= 0:
+            max_tokens_value = DEFAULT_MAX_TOKENS
+
         for _iteration in range(MAX_TOOL_ITERATIONS):
             try:
                 result = await client.chat.completions.create(
@@ -267,7 +275,7 @@ class GroqdConversationEntity(
                     parallel_tool_calls=options.get(
                         CONF_PARALLEL_TOOL_CALLS, DEFAULT_PARALLEL_TOOL_CALLS
                     ),
-                    max_tokens=options.get(CONF_MAX_TOKENS, DEFAULT_MAX_TOKENS),
+                    max_tokens=max_tokens_value,
                     top_p=options.get(CONF_TOP_P, DEFAULT_TOP_P),
                     temperature=options.get(CONF_TEMPERATURE, DEFAULT_TEMPERATURE),
                     frequency_penalty=options.get(