diff --git a/chat_listener.py b/chat_listener.py
index aedc1a7..684bca0 100644
--- a/chat_listener.py
+++ b/chat_listener.py
@@ -18,17 +18,13 @@ class TwitchBot(twitchio.Client):
         """
         print(f"DIAGNOSTIC: Initializing and connecting for user {self.db_user_id}...")
 
-        # Per twitchio documentation, the token must be prefixed with 'oauth:'.
-        formatted_token = f"oauth:{access_token}"
-        
         # The sensitive __init__ call is now inside the awaitable task.
-        super().__init__(token=formatted_token, client_id=client_id, client_secret=client_secret, 
+        super().__init__(token=access_token, client_id=client_id, client_secret=client_secret, 
                          refresh_token=refresh_token, initial_channels=[channel_name], ssl=True)
         self.channel_name = channel_name
         self.is_initialized = True
 
         await self.connect()
-        await self.join_channels([self.channel_name])
 
     async def event_ready(self):
         """Called once when the bot goes online."""