diff --git a/ai/compose.yml b/ai/compose.yml
index ca5f181..3126c2b 100755
--- a/ai/compose.yml
+++ b/ai/compose.yml
@@ -61,8 +61,6 @@ services:
       - /mnt/HoardingCow_docker_data/Syncthing/telos-ro:/opt/data/telos-ro:ro
       # Syncthing-shared inbox — write tasks here, they sync to user's laptop
       - /mnt/HoardingCow_docker_data/Syncthing/telos-rw:/opt/data/telos-rw:rw
-      # Persist Python venv across container recreation (Matrix bridge deps, etc.)
-      - /mnt/HoardingCow_docker_data/Hermes/venv:/opt/hermes/.venv
     devices:
       - /dev/kfd:/dev/kfd
       - /dev/dri:/dev/dri
diff --git a/ai/hermes/Dockerfile b/ai/hermes/Dockerfile
index c3a76fa..253b9b7 100644
--- a/ai/hermes/Dockerfile
+++ b/ai/hermes/Dockerfile
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ USER root
 RUN apt-get update && \
     apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
         libportaudio2 ca-certificates poppler-utils imagemagick \
+        libolm-dev \
         texlive-latex-base texlive-latex-extra texlive-fonts-recommended \
         texlive-xetex texlive-science \
         qemu-user-static binfmt-support emacs-nox && \
@@ -42,6 +43,12 @@ RUN apt-get update && \
 # ---------- UV ----------
 COPY --chmod=0755 --from=ghcr.io/astral-sh/uv:latest /uv /usr/local/bin/
 
+# ---------- Matrix bridge + extra pip deps ----------
+# Previously installed inline at container startup and persisted via volume mount.
+# Now baked into the image so the fragile venv volume mount can be removed.
+RUN . /opt/hermes/.venv/bin/activate && \
+    uv pip install --no-cache-dir 'mautrix[encryption]' openai
+
 # ---------- Piper TTS ----------
 RUN . /opt/hermes/.venv/bin/activate && \
     uv pip install --no-cache-dir piper-tts sounddevice numpy && \