diff --git a/tag-notes.py b/tag-notes.py
index 612629f..698be6d 100755
--- a/tag-notes.py
+++ b/tag-notes.py
@@ -98,11 +98,14 @@ def call_llm_json(system_prompt, user_prompt, max_tokens=900):
         ],
         "temperature": 0.2,
         "max_tokens": max_tokens,
-        "response_format": {"type": "json_object"},
+        "response_format": {"type": "text"},
     }
     try:
         response = requests.post(LM_STUDIO_URL, json=payload, timeout=120)
-        response.raise_for_status()
+        if not response.ok:
+            print(f"  ! LLM error: {response.status_code} {response.reason}")
+            print(f"    body: {response.text[:500]}")
+            return None
         result = response.json()
         content = result['choices'][0]['message']['content']
         return parse_json_response(content)