diff --git a/src/matebot/commands.py b/src/matebot/commands.py
index 6907200..3b3b2c8 100644
--- a/src/matebot/commands.py
+++ b/src/matebot/commands.py
@@ -70,12 +70,12 @@ async def _cmd_help(self) -> None:
         await self.messenger.send(HELP)
 
     async def _cmd_wake(self) -> None:
-        await self.client.request("req:change-mode", mode=1)
+        await self.client.send_event("req:change-mode", mode=1)
         self._awaiting_ready = True
         await self.messenger.send("🔥 Waking the machine — I'll tell you when it's hot.")
 
     async def _cmd_sleep(self) -> None:
-        await self.client.request("req:change-mode", mode=0)
+        await self.client.send_event("req:change-mode", mode=0)
         self._awaiting_ready = False
         await self.messenger.send("😴 Machine is going to standby.")
 
diff --git a/src/matebot/machine.py b/src/matebot/machine.py
index 837a46a..de5af8e 100644
--- a/src/matebot/machine.py
+++ b/src/matebot/machine.py
@@ -125,6 +125,13 @@ async def request(self, tp: str, *, timeout: float = 20.0, **fields: Any) -> dic
         finally:
             self._pending.pop(rid, None)
 
+    async def send_event(self, tp: str, **fields: Any) -> None:
+        """Fire-and-forget message for requests the firmware never answers
+        (e.g. ``req:change-mode`` — it acts but sends no response)."""
+        if self._ws is None or self._ws.closed:
+            raise MachineError("the machine looks powered off")
+        await self._ws.send_str(json.dumps({"tp": tp, **fields}))
+
     async def notes_save(self, shot_id: int, notes: dict[str, Any]) -> dict:
         """Write shot notes; lands in the web UI's "Shot Notes" panel."""
         payload = {"id": str(shot_id)}  # unpadded inside the payload
diff --git a/tests/test_commands.py b/tests/test_commands.py
index 50e93e9..d4d9ce2 100644
--- a/tests/test_commands.py
+++ b/tests/test_commands.py
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@ async def request(self, tp, **fields):
         self.requests.append((tp, fields))
         return {"msg": "Ok"}
 
+    async def send_event(self, tp, **fields):
+        if not self.connected:
+            raise MachineError("the machine looks powered off")
+        self.requests.append((tp, fields))
+
 
 class FakeConvo:
     def __init__(self):