diff --git a/discord-bot/bot/bot.py b/discord-bot/bot/bot.py
index e16504ee..35a3fb23 100644
--- a/discord-bot/bot/bot.py
+++ b/discord-bot/bot/bot.py
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ async def on_starting(event: hikari.StartingEvent):
 
     bot.d.oasst_api = OasstApiClient(settings.oasst_api_url, settings.oasst_api_key)
 
+    # A set of user id's that are currently doing work.
+    bot.d.currently_working = set()
+
 
 @bot.listen()
 async def on_stopping(event: hikari.StoppingEvent):
diff --git a/discord-bot/bot/extensions/work.py b/discord-bot/bot/extensions/work.py
index 1d88fb35..767e05ac 100644
--- a/discord-bot/bot/extensions/work.py
+++ b/discord-bot/bot/extensions/work.py
@@ -34,12 +34,25 @@ MAX_TASK_ACCEPT_TIME = 60  # 1 minute
 @lightbulb.implements(lightbulb.SlashCommand)
 async def work(ctx: lightbulb.SlashContext):
     """Create and handle a task."""
+    # make sure the user isn't currently doing a task
+    currently_working: set[hikari.Snowflakeish] = ctx.bot.d.currently_working
+    if ctx.author.id in currently_working:
+        await ctx.respond(
+            "You are already performing a task. Please complete that one first.", flags=hikari.MessageFlag.EPHEMERAL
+        )
+        return
+
+    currently_working.add(ctx.author.id)
+
     task_type: TaskRequestType = TaskRequestType(ctx.options.type.split(".")[-1])
 
     await ctx.respond("Sending you a task, check your DMs", flags=hikari.MessageFlag.EPHEMERAL)
     logger.debug(f"Starting task_type: {task_type!r}")
 
-    await _handle_task(ctx, task_type)
+    try:
+        await _handle_task(ctx, task_type)
+    finally:
+        currently_working.remove(ctx.author.id)
 
 
 async def _handle_task(ctx: lightbulb.SlashContext, task_type: TaskRequestType) -> None: