diff --git a/lib/backend.py b/lib/backend.py
index 0d25a00..a7f610d 100644
--- a/lib/backend.py
+++ b/lib/backend.py
@@ -315,10 +315,10 @@ class Backend:
                 with open(BENCHMARK_INDICATOR_FILE, "r") as f:
                     log.debug("already ran benchmark")
                     # trigger model load
-                    payload = self.benchmark_handler.make_benchmark_payload()
-                    _ = await self.__call_api(
-                        handler=self.benchmark_handler, payload=payload
-                    )
+                    # payload = self.benchmark_handler.make_benchmark_payload()
+                    # _ = await self.__call_api(
+                    #     handler=self.benchmark_handler, payload=payload
+                    # )
                     return float(f.readline())
             except FileNotFoundError:
                 pass
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ class Backend:
                         )
                         # some backends need a few seconds after logging successful startup before
                         # they can begin accepting requests
-                        await sleep(5)
+                        # await sleep(5)
                         try:
                             max_throughput = await run_benchmark()
                             self.__start_healthcheck = True