diff --git a/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py b/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
index 0b55082aab..805433223d 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
@@ -702,6 +702,7 @@ async def __start(self, frame: StartFrame):
         self._interruption_strategies = frame.interruption_strategies
         self._report_only_initial_ttfb = frame.report_only_initial_ttfb
 
+        # Create process task now that we know the direct mode setting
         self.__create_process_task()
 
     async def __cancel(self, frame: CancelFrame):
@@ -886,14 +887,21 @@ async def __input_frame_task_handler(self):
 
             (frame, direction, callback) = await self.__input_queue.get()
 
-            if isinstance(frame, SystemFrame):
+            if isinstance(frame, SystemFrame) or self._enable_direct_mode:
                 await self.__process_frame(frame, direction, callback)
-            elif self.__process_queue:
-                await self.__process_queue.put((frame, direction, callback))
             else:
-                raise RuntimeError(
-                    f"{self}: __process_queue is None when processing frame {frame.name}"
-                )
+                # Create process task lazily if it doesn't exist yet
+                if not hasattr(self, '_FrameProcessor__process_queue') or not self.__process_queue:
+                    logger.debug(f"{self}: Creating process task lazily, direct_mode={self._enable_direct_mode}")
+                    self.__create_process_task()
+
+                if hasattr(self, '_FrameProcessor__process_queue') and self.__process_queue:
+                    await self.__process_queue.put((frame, direction, callback))
+                else:
+                    logger.error(f"{self}: __process_queue still None after creation attempt, direct_mode={self._enable_direct_mode}, frame={frame.name}")
+                    raise RuntimeError(
+                        f"{self}: __process_queue is None when processing frame {frame.name}"
+                    )
 
             self.__input_queue.task_done()