diff --git a/src/lib/sphinx/bridge.ts b/src/lib/sphinx/bridge.ts
index 979a54a3..941de0a9 100644
--- a/src/lib/sphinx/bridge.ts
+++ b/src/lib/sphinx/bridge.ts
@@ -94,7 +94,13 @@ export async function payInvoice(invoice: string): Promise<{ preimage: string }
 
   if (isSphinx()) {
     try {
-      console.log("[payInvoice] calling sphinx.sendPayment...")
+      // Ensure Sphinx has budget allocated before paying
+      let budget = await sphinx.setBudget()
+      if (!budget?.budget) {
+        budget = await sphinx.authorize()
+      }
+      console.log("[payInvoice] Sphinx budget:", budget?.budget)
+
       const result = await sphinx.sendPayment(invoice)
       console.log("[payInvoice] sphinx.sendPayment result:", JSON.stringify(result))
       return result?.preimage ? { preimage: result.preimage } : null