diff --git a/model_training_nnn_tpu/trainer_tf.py b/model_training_nnn_tpu/trainer_tf.py
index bb44d44..e59b2f0 100644
--- a/model_training_nnn_tpu/trainer_tf.py
+++ b/model_training_nnn_tpu/trainer_tf.py
@@ -94,11 +94,17 @@ class BrainToTextDecoderTrainerTF:
             print("🔧 Initializing optimizer for TPU training...")
             print(f"Optimizer type: {type(self.optimizer).__name__}")
 
-            # Initialize optimizer slot variables within strategy scope
-            # This prevents the "different scope" error
-            print("🔧 Creating optimizer slot variables within TPU strategy scope...")
-            dummy_gradients = [tf.zeros_like(var) for var in self.model.trainable_variables]
-            self.optimizer.apply_gradients(zip(dummy_gradients, self.model.trainable_variables))
+            # Initialize optimizer slot variables using strategy.run
+            # This ensures we're in the correct replica context
+            print("🔧 Creating optimizer slot variables within TPU replica context...")
+
+            def init_optimizer_slots():
+                dummy_gradients = [tf.zeros_like(var) for var in self.model.trainable_variables]
+                self.optimizer.apply_gradients(zip(dummy_gradients, self.model.trainable_variables))
+                return tf.constant(True)  # Return something to satisfy strategy.run
+
+            # Run the slot initialization in replica context
+            self.strategy.run(init_optimizer_slots)
             print("✅ Optimizer ready for TPU training")
 
             self.lr_scheduler = self._create_lr_scheduler()