diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/chat/ChatMessage.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/chat/ChatMessage.svelte
index 9103a1c..0433ca9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/chat/ChatMessage.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/chat/ChatMessage.svelte
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@
 			</a>
 		{/if}
 		{#if hasSelfDestruct && countdownSeconds > 0}
-			<span class="self-destruct-indicator" title="Self-destructing message">
+			<span class="self-destruct-indicator" class:final-countdown={countdownSeconds <= 4} title="Self-destructing message">
 				{#if countdownSeconds <= 4}
 					<img src="/timer.gif" alt="Timer" class="self-destruct-gif" />
 				{:else}
@@ -676,6 +676,11 @@
 		animation: pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
 	}
 
+	.self-destruct-indicator.final-countdown {
+		background: none;
+		animation: none;
+	}
+
 	.self-destruct-gif {
 		height: 16px;
 		width: auto;