diff --git a/graphiti_core/llm_client/openai_base_client.py b/graphiti_core/llm_client/openai_base_client.py
index 93e9c598..25927270 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/llm_client/openai_base_client.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/llm_client/openai_base_client.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from abc import abstractmethod
 from typing import Any, ClassVar
 
 import openai
+from openai import AsyncAzureOpenAI, AsyncOpenAI
 from openai.types.chat import ChatCompletionMessageParam
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 
@@ -48,6 +49,9 @@ class BaseOpenAIClient(LLMClient):
     # Class-level constants
     MAX_RETRIES: ClassVar[int] = 2
 
+    # Instance attribute (initialized in subclasses)
+    client: AsyncOpenAI | AsyncAzureOpenAI
+
     def __init__(
         self,
         config: LLMConfig | None = None,