diff --git a/modrinthtracker/modrinthtracker.py b/modrinthtracker/modrinthtracker.py
index 3e2267b..12f7fbb 100644
--- a/modrinthtracker/modrinthtracker.py
+++ b/modrinthtracker/modrinthtracker.py
@@ -57,34 +57,37 @@ class ModrinthTracker(commands.Cog):
             
             self.request_timestamps.append(current_time)
 
-    async def _make_request(self, url, params=None, retries=3):
+    async def _make_request(self, url, params=None):
         """Make a rate-limited request to the Modrinth API"""
-        await self._rate_limit()
-        
-        for attempt in range(retries):
-            try:
-                # Ensure session is available
-                if self.session is None or self.session.closed:
-                    self.session = aiohttp.ClientSession()
-                
-                async with self.session.get(url, params=params) as response:
-                    if response.status == 429:  # Too Many Requests
-                        retry_after = int(response.headers.get('Retry-After', 60))
-                        await asyncio.sleep(retry_after)
-                        continue
-                    return response
-                    
-            except (aiohttp.ClientConnectorError, aiohttp.ClientError) as e:
-                if attempt == retries - 1:  # Last attempt
-                    raise
-                # Close and recreate session
-                if self.session and not self.session.closed:
-                    await self.session.close()
+        try:
+            # Ensure session is available
+            if self.session is None or self.session.closed:
                 self.session = aiohttp.ClientSession()
-                await asyncio.sleep(1)  # Wait a bit before retrying
-            except Exception as e:
-                self.bot.logger.error(f"Error in _make_request: {str(e)}", exc_info=True)
-                raise
+
+            async with self.session.get(url, params=params) as response:
+                if response.status == 429:  # Too Many Requests
+                    retry_after = int(response.headers.get('Retry-After', 60))
+                    await asyncio.sleep(retry_after)
+                    return await self._make_request(url, params)
+                
+                # Store response data before closing
+                if response.status == 200:
+                    return await response.json()
+                return None
+
+        except (aiohttp.ClientConnectorError, aiohttp.ClientError) as e:
+            # Close and recreate session
+            if self.session and not self.session.closed:
+                await self.session.close()
+            self.session = aiohttp.ClientSession()
+            # Try one more time
+            async with self.session.get(url, params=params) as response:
+                if response.status == 200:
+                    return await response.json()
+                return None
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.bot.logger.error(f"Error in _make_request: {str(e)}", exc_info=True)
+            raise
 
     @commands.group()
     @checks.admin()
@@ -102,18 +105,16 @@ class ModrinthTracker(commands.Cog):
         """
         try:
             # Verify the project exists and get its info
-            response = await self._make_request(f"{BASE_URL}/project/{project_id}")
-            if response.status != 200:
+            project_data = await self._make_request(f"{BASE_URL}/project/{project_id}")
+            if not project_data:
                 await ctx.send(f"Error: Project `{project_id}` not found on Modrinth.")
                 return
-            project_data = await response.json()
 
             # Get the latest version
-            response = await self._make_request(f"{BASE_URL}/project/{project_id}/version")
-            if response.status != 200:
+            versions = await self._make_request(f"{BASE_URL}/project/{project_id}/version")
+            if not versions:
                 await ctx.send("Error: Could not fetch version information.")
                 return
-            versions = await response.json()
             latest_version = versions[0] if versions else None
 
             tracked_projects = await self.config.guild(ctx.guild).tracked_projects()
@@ -175,7 +176,7 @@ class ModrinthTracker(commands.Cog):
         except aiohttp.ClientConnectorError:
             await ctx.send("Error: Failed to connect to Modrinth API. Please try again in a few moments.")
         except aiohttp.ClientError as e:
-            await ctx.send(f"Error: Network error occurred while contacting Modrinth API. Please try again in a few moments.")
+            await ctx.send("Error: Network error occurred while contacting Modrinth API. Please try again in a few moments.")
         except asyncio.TimeoutError:
             await ctx.send("Error: Request to Modrinth API timed out. Please try again.")
         except Exception as e: