diff --git a/modules/image_models.py b/modules/image_models.py
index 21612f61..6a6c6547 100644
--- a/modules/image_models.py
+++ b/modules/image_models.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def load_image_model(model_name, dtype='bfloat16', attn_backend='sdpa', cpu_offl
         cpu_offload: Enable CPU offloading for low VRAM
         compile_model: Compile the model for faster inference (slow first run)
     """
-    from diffusers import ZImagePipeline
+    from diffusers import PipelineQuantizationConfig, ZImagePipeline
 
     logger.info(f"Loading image model \"{model_name}\"")
     t0 = time.time()
@@ -30,10 +30,17 @@ def load_image_model(model_name, dtype='bfloat16', attn_backend='sdpa', cpu_offl
     model_path = resolve_model_path(model_name, image_model=True)
 
     try:
+        # Define quantization config for 8-bit
+        pipeline_quant_config = PipelineQuantizationConfig(
+            quant_backend="bitsandbytes_8bit",
+            quant_kwargs={"load_in_8bit": True},
+        )
+
         pipe = ZImagePipeline.from_pretrained(
             str(model_path),
+            quantization_config=pipeline_quant_config,
             torch_dtype=target_dtype,
-            low_cpu_mem_usage=False,
+            low_cpu_mem_usage=True,
         )
 
         if not cpu_offload: