diff --git a/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHog.java b/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHog.java
index dd1e5d7..94d74ff 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHog.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHog.java
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public static void shutdown(@NotNull Duration timeout) {
      * Capture an event with the given name for the given distinct ID with no properties.
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param event Name of the event. May not be empty.
+     * @param event      Name of the event. May not be empty.
      */
     public static void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event) {
         getClient().capture(distinctId, event);
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public static void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event) {
      * Capture an event with the given name for the given distinct ID with the provided properties.
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param event Name of the event. May not be empty.
+     * @param event      Name of the event. May not be empty.
      * @param properties Event properties
      */
     public static void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event, @NotNull Map<String, Object> properties) {
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public static void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event, @N
      * <p>The object must be serializable to a JSON object via Gson (not primitive or array)</p>
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param event Name of the event. May not be empty.
+     * @param event      Name of the event. May not be empty.
      * @param properties Event object data
      */
     public static void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event, @NotNull Object properties) {
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ public static void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event, @N
     /**
      * Link the given properties with the person profile of the user (distinct id).
      *
-     * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
+     * @param distinctId        Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
+     * @param properties        Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
      * @param propertiesSetOnce Properties to set only if missing on the person profile
      */
     public static void identify(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Map<String, Object> properties, @Nullable Map<String, Object> propertiesSetOnce) {
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ public static void identify(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Map<String, Ob
      *
      * <p>The objects must be serializable to a JSON object via Gson (not primitive or array)</p>
      *
-     * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
+     * @param distinctId        Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
+     * @param properties        Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
      * @param propertiesSetOnce Properties to set only if missing on the person profile
      */
     public static void identify(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Object properties, @Nullable Object propertiesSetOnce) {
@@ -122,8 +122,8 @@ public static void identify(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Object propert
     /**
      * Set the given properties with the person profile of the user (distinct id).
      *
-     * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
+     * @param distinctId        Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
+     * @param properties        Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
      * @param propertiesSetOnce Properties to set only if missing on the person profile
      */
     public static void set(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Map<String, Object> properties, @Nullable Map<String, Object> propertiesSetOnce) {
@@ -135,8 +135,8 @@ public static void set(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Map<String, Object>
      *
      * <p>The objects must be serializable to a JSON object via Gson (not primitive or array)</p>
      *
-     * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
+     * @param distinctId        Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
+     * @param properties        Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
      * @param propertiesSetOnce Properties to set only if missing on the person profile
      */
     public static void set(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Object properties, @Nullable Object propertiesSetOnce) {
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ public static void set(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Object properties)
      * Alias the given distinct ID to the given alias.
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param alias Alias to set for the distinct ID. May not be empty.
+     * @param alias      Alias to set for the distinct ID. May not be empty.
      */
     public static void alias(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String alias) {
         getClient().alias(distinctId, alias);
@@ -178,8 +178,8 @@ public static void alias(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String alias) {
     /**
      * Assign the given properties to the given group (type &amp; key).
      *
-     * @param type Group type. Must not be empty
-     * @param key Group key. Must not be empty
+     * @param type       Group type. Must not be empty
+     * @param key        Group key. Must not be empty
      * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the group
      */
     public static void groupIdentify(@NotNull String type, @NotNull String key, @NotNull Map<String, Object> properties) {
@@ -191,8 +191,8 @@ public static void groupIdentify(@NotNull String type, @NotNull String key, @Not
      *
      * <p>The object must be serializable to a JSON object via Gson (not primitive or array)</p>
      *
-     * @param type Group type. Must not be empty
-     * @param key Group key. Must not be empty
+     * @param type       Group type. Must not be empty
+     * @param key        Group key. Must not be empty
      * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the group
      */
     public static void groupIdentify(@NotNull String type, @NotNull String key, @NotNull Object properties) {
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ public static void flush() {
     /**
      * Check if the given feature flag is enabled for the given distinct ID.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
      * @return True if the feature flag is enabled for the given distinct ID, false otherwise
      */
@@ -223,9 +223,9 @@ public static boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String dist
     /**
      * Check if the given feature flag is enabled for the given distinct ID with extra context.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
-     * @param context Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
+     * @param context    Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
      * @return True if the feature flag is enabled for the given distinct ID, false otherwise
      */
     public static boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable FeatureFlagContext context) {
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ public static boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String dist
     /**
      * Get the feature flag state for the given distinct ID.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
      * @return Feature flag state
      */
@@ -246,9 +246,9 @@ public static boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String dist
     /**
      * Get the feature flag state for the given distinct ID with extra context.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
-     * @param context Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
+     * @param context    Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
      * @return Feature flag state
      */
     public static @NotNull FeatureFlagState getFeatureFlag(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable FeatureFlagContext context) {
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ public static boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String dist
      * Get all feature flags for the given distinct ID with extra context.
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
-     * @param context Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
+     * @param context    Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
      * @return Feature flag states
      */
     public static @NotNull FeatureFlagStates getAllFeatureFlags(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable FeatureFlagContext context) {
@@ -288,6 +288,21 @@ public static void reloadFeatureFlags() {
         getClient().reloadFeatureFlags();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Blocks until local feature flags have been fetched, or the timeout is reached.
+     *
+     * <p>This is useful during application startup to ensure feature flags are available
+     * before accepting requests. If it fails, local evals are disabled until it re-fetches (and it succeeds).
+     *
+     * @param timeout Maximum time to wait for the fetch to complete
+     * @return true if feature flags were successfully loaded, false if the fetch failed or timed out
+     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if local feature flag evaluation is not enabled
+     */
+    @Blocking
+    public static boolean loadRemoteFeatureFlags(@NotNull Duration timeout) {
+        return getClient().loadRemoteFeatureFlags(timeout);
+    }
+
     // Exceptions
 
     public static void captureException(@NotNull Throwable throwable) {
diff --git a/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClient.java b/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClient.java
index 78017eb..d23f6e0 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClient.java
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public sealed interface PostHogClient permits PostHogClientImpl, PostHogClientNo
      * Capture an event with the given name for the given distinct ID with no properties.
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param event Name of the event. May not be empty.
+     * @param event      Name of the event. May not be empty.
      */
     default void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event) {
         capture(distinctId, event, Map.of());
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ default void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event) {
      * Capture an event with the given name for the given distinct ID with the provided properties.
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param event Name of the event. May not be empty.
+     * @param event      Name of the event. May not be empty.
      * @param properties Event properties
      */
     default void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event, @NotNull Map<String, Object> properties) {
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ default void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event, @NotNull
      * <p>The object must be serializable to a JSON object via Gson (not primitive or array)</p>
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param event Name of the event. May not be empty.
+     * @param event      Name of the event. May not be empty.
      * @param properties Event object data
      */
     void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event, @NotNull Object properties);
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ default void capture(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String event, @NotNull
     /**
      * Link the given properties with the person profile of the user (distinct id).
      *
-     * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
+     * @param distinctId        Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
+     * @param properties        Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
      * @param propertiesSetOnce Properties to set only if missing on the person profile
      */
     default void identify(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Map<String, Object> properties, @Nullable Map<String, Object> propertiesSetOnce) {
@@ -96,8 +96,8 @@ default void identify(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Map<String, Object>
      *
      * <p>The objects must be serializable to a JSON object via Gson (not primitive or array)</p>
      *
-     * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
+     * @param distinctId        Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
+     * @param properties        Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
      * @param propertiesSetOnce Properties to set only if missing on the person profile
      */
     default void identify(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Object properties, @Nullable Object propertiesSetOnce) {
@@ -136,8 +136,8 @@ default void identify(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Object properties) {
     /**
      * Set the given properties with the person profile of the user (distinct id).
      *
-     * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
+     * @param distinctId        Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
+     * @param properties        Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
      * @param propertiesSetOnce Properties to set only if missing on the person profile
      */
     default void set(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Map<String, Object> properties, @Nullable Map<String, Object> propertiesSetOnce) {
@@ -152,8 +152,8 @@ default void set(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Map<String, Object> prope
      *
      * <p>The objects must be serializable to a JSON object via Gson (not primitive or array)</p>
      *
-     * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
+     * @param distinctId        Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
+     * @param properties        Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the person profile
      * @param propertiesSetOnce Properties to set only if missing on the person profile
      */
     default void set(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Object properties, @Nullable Object propertiesSetOnce) {
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ default void set(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable Object properties) {
      * Alias the given distinct ID to the given alias.
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty.
-     * @param alias Alias to set for the distinct ID. May not be empty.
+     * @param alias      Alias to set for the distinct ID. May not be empty.
      */
     default void alias(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String alias) {
         capture(distinctId, CREATE_ALIAS, Map.of(
@@ -205,8 +205,8 @@ default void alias(@NotNull String distinctId, @NotNull String alias) {
     /**
      * Assign the given properties to the given group (type &amp; key).
      *
-     * @param type Group type. Must not be empty
-     * @param key Group key. Must not be empty
+     * @param type       Group type. Must not be empty
+     * @param key        Group key. Must not be empty
      * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the group
      */
     default void groupIdentify(@NotNull String type, @NotNull String key, @NotNull Map<String, Object> properties) {
@@ -218,8 +218,8 @@ default void groupIdentify(@NotNull String type, @NotNull String key, @NotNull M
      *
      * <p>The object must be serializable to a JSON object via Gson (not primitive or array)</p>
      *
-     * @param type Group type. Must not be empty
-     * @param key Group key. Must not be empty
+     * @param type       Group type. Must not be empty
+     * @param key        Group key. Must not be empty
      * @param properties Properties to set (including overwriting previous values) on the group
      */
     default void groupIdentify(@NotNull String type, @NotNull String key, @NotNull Object properties) {
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ default void groupIdentify(@NotNull String type, @NotNull String key, @NotNull O
     /**
      * Check if the given feature flag is enabled for the given distinct ID.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
      * @return True if the feature flag is enabled for the given distinct ID, false otherwise
      */
@@ -254,9 +254,9 @@ default boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId
     /**
      * Check if the given feature flag is enabled for the given distinct ID with extra context.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
-     * @param context Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
+     * @param context    Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
      * @return True if the feature flag is enabled for the given distinct ID, false otherwise
      */
     default boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable FeatureFlagContext context) {
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ default boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId
     /**
      * Get the feature flag state for the given distinct ID.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
      * @return Feature flag state
      */
@@ -277,9 +277,9 @@ default boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId
     /**
      * Get the feature flag state for the given distinct ID with extra context.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
-     * @param context Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
+     * @param context    Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
      * @return Feature flag state
      */
     @NotNull FeatureFlagState getFeatureFlag(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable FeatureFlagContext context);
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ default boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId
     /**
      * Get the feature flag payload for the given distinct ID.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
      * @return Feature flag payload, or null if the feature flag is disabled <i>or</i> has no payload configured.
      */
@@ -298,9 +298,9 @@ default boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId
     /**
      * Get the feature flag payload for the given distinct ID.
      *
-     * @param key Feature flag key
+     * @param key        Feature flag key
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
-     * @param context Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
+     * @param context    Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
      * @return Feature flag payload, or null if the feature flag is disabled <i>or</i> has no payload configured.
      */
     default @Nullable String getFeatureFlagPayload(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable FeatureFlagContext context) {
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ default boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId
      * Get all feature flags for the given distinct ID with extra context.
      *
      * @param distinctId Unique ID of the target in your database. May not be empty
-     * @param context Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
+     * @param context    Extra context to pass to the feature flag evaluation
      * @return Feature flag states
      */
     @NotNull FeatureFlagStates getAllFeatureFlags(@NotNull String distinctId, @Nullable FeatureFlagContext context);
@@ -334,6 +334,33 @@ default boolean isFeatureEnabled(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String distinctId
      */
     void reloadFeatureFlags();
 
+    /**
+     * Blocks until local feature flags have been fetched, or the timeout is reached.
+     *
+     * <p>This is useful during application startup to ensure feature flags are available
+     * before accepting requests. If it fails, local evals are disabled until it re-fetches (and it succeeds).
+     * <p>
+     * Uses the timeout of {@link #loadRemoteFeatureFlags(Duration)}
+     *
+     * @return true if feature flags were successfully loaded, false if the fetch failed or timed out
+     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if local feature flag evaluation is not enabled
+     */
+    @Blocking
+    boolean loadRemoteFeatureFlags();
+
+    /**
+     * Blocks until local feature flags have been fetched, or the timeout is reached.
+     *
+     * <p>This is useful during application startup to ensure feature flags are available
+     * before accepting requests. If it fails, local evals are disabled until it re-fetches (and it succeeds).
+     *
+     * @param timeout Maximum time to wait for the fetch to complete
+     * @return true if feature flags were successfully loaded, false if the fetch failed or timed out
+     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if local feature flag evaluation is not enabled
+     */
+    @Blocking
+    boolean loadRemoteFeatureFlags(@NotNull Duration timeout);
+
 
     // Exceptions
 
@@ -370,6 +397,7 @@ final class Builder {
         private boolean sendFeatureFlagEvents = false;
         private Duration featureFlagsPollingInterval = Duration.ofMinutes(5);
         private Duration featureFlagsRequestTimeout = Duration.ofSeconds(3);
+        private Duration blockUntilLocalFlagsLoaded = null;
 
         private BiFunction<Throwable, JsonObject, Boolean> exceptionMiddleware = null;
 
@@ -445,6 +473,24 @@ private Builder(@NotNull String projectApiKey) {
             return this;
         }
 
+        /**
+         * Block during client construction until local feature flags have been fetched.
+         *
+         * <p>This ensures feature flags are available immediately after the client is built.
+         * If the fetch fails or times out, construction still succeeds but feature flag
+         * evaluations will return {@link FeatureFlagState#DISABLED} until the next successful fetch.</p>
+         *
+         * <p>Requires a personal API key to be set via {@link #personalApiKey(String)}.</p>
+         *
+         * @param timeout Maximum time to wait for the fetch to complete
+         * @return this builder
+         */
+        @Contract(pure = true)
+        public @NotNull Builder blockUntilLocalFlagsLoaded(@NotNull Duration timeout) {
+            this.blockUntilLocalFlagsLoaded = Objects.requireNonNull(timeout);
+            return this;
+        }
+
         @Contract(pure = true)
         public @NotNull Builder exceptionMiddleware(@NotNull BiFunction<Throwable, JsonObject, Boolean> exceptionMiddleware) {
             this.exceptionMiddleware = Objects.requireNonNull(exceptionMiddleware);
@@ -470,7 +516,7 @@ private Builder(@NotNull String projectApiKey) {
                     .disableJdkUnsafe()
                     .setFieldNamingPolicy(FieldNamingPolicy.LOWER_CASE_WITH_UNDERSCORES)
                     .create());
-            return new PostHogClientImpl(
+            var client = new PostHogClientImpl(
                     gson,
                     endpoint, projectApiKey, personalApiKey, // API
                     flushInterval, maxBatchSize, defaultEventProperties, // Events
@@ -479,6 +525,10 @@ private Builder(@NotNull String projectApiKey) {
                     featureFlagsPollingInterval, featureFlagsRequestTimeout,
                     exceptionMiddleware // Exceptions
             );
+            if (blockUntilLocalFlagsLoaded != null) {
+                client.loadRemoteFeatureFlags(blockUntilLocalFlagsLoaded);
+            }
+            return client;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClientImpl.java b/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClientImpl.java
index 736e61a..111e60b 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClientImpl.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClientImpl.java
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ public final class PostHogClientImpl implements PostHogClient {
 
     private Map<String, FeatureFlagsResponse.Flag> featureFlags = null; // Null until first fetch
     private final Map<String, Object> recentlyCapturedFeatureFlags = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+    private volatile boolean warnedAboutMissingFlags = false;
     private final boolean allowRemoteFeatureFlagEvaluation;
     private final boolean sendFeatureFlagEvents;
     private final Duration featureFlagsRequestTimeout;
@@ -202,6 +203,18 @@ private void sendEventBatch(@NotNull JsonArray batch) {
             }
         }
 
+        // This occurs when local flags are not loaded and remote eval is disabled, so we return disabled
+        // If a client wants, they can block until local values are loaded with PostHogClient#loadRemoteFeatureFlags
+        if (result == null) {
+            if (!warnedAboutMissingFlags) {
+                warnedAboutMissingFlags = true;
+                log.warn("Local feature flags not yet loaded and remote evaluation is disabled. " +
+                        "Returning DISABLED for all flags until loaded. " +
+                        "Use loadRemoteFeatureFlags() or blockUntilLocalFlagsLoaded() to avoid this.");
+            }
+            return FeatureFlagState.DISABLED;
+        }
+
         // Send feature flag called event if configured to do so.
         final boolean sendCalledEvent = featureFlagContext.sendFeatureFlagEvents() != null
                 ? featureFlagContext.sendFeatureFlagEvents()
@@ -271,18 +284,26 @@ public void reloadFeatureFlags() {
     }
 
     @Blocking
-    private void loadRemoteFeatureFlags() {
-        if (this.personalApiKey == null) return; // Sanity check
+    public boolean loadRemoteFeatureFlags() {
+        return this.loadRemoteFeatureFlags(featureFlagsRequestTimeout);
+    }
+
+    @Blocking
+    public boolean loadRemoteFeatureFlags(@NotNull Duration timeout) {
+        if (this.personalApiKey == null) {
+            throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Local feature flag evaluation is not enabled (no personal API key)");
+        }
 
         final HttpRequest req = HttpRequest.newBuilder(URI.create(String.format("%s/api/feature_flag/local_evaluation", endpoint)))
                 .header("Authorization", String.format("Bearer %s", this.personalApiKey))
                 .header("User-Agent", USER_AGENT)
-                .timeout(featureFlagsRequestTimeout)
+                .timeout(timeout)
                 .build();
         try {
             final HttpResponse<String> res = this.httpClient.send(req, HttpResponse.BodyHandlers.ofString());
             if (res.statusCode() != 200) {
                 log.error("unexpected response from /api/feature_flag/local_evaluation ({}): {}", res.statusCode(), res.body());
+                return false;
             }
 
             final FeatureFlagsResponse resBody = this.gson.fromJson(res.body(), FeatureFlagsResponse.class);
@@ -291,13 +312,17 @@ private void loadRemoteFeatureFlags() {
                 newFeatureFlags.put(flag.key(), flag);
             }
             this.featureFlags = Map.copyOf(newFeatureFlags);
+            return true;
         } catch (InterruptedException ignored) {
             // Do nothing just exit
+            return false;
         } catch (HttpTimeoutException e) {
             log.warn("timed out making /api/feature_flag/local_evaluation request", e);
+            return false;
         } catch (Exception e) {
             // Catch everything because we do not want the timer itself to stop running.
             log.error("failed to make /api/feature_flag/local_evaluation request", e);
+            return false;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClientNoop.java b/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClientNoop.java
index 48b5e51..da06a8c 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClientNoop.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/hollowcube/posthog/PostHogClientNoop.java
@@ -37,6 +37,16 @@ public void flush() {
     public void reloadFeatureFlags() {
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public boolean loadRemoteFeatureFlags() {
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean loadRemoteFeatureFlags(@NotNull Duration timeout) {
+        return true;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public void captureException(@NotNull Throwable throwable, @Nullable String distinctId, @Nullable Object properties) {