diff --git a/cabot_ui/cabot_ui/interface.py b/cabot_ui/cabot_ui/interface.py
index 027ec8ff..f977bc75 100644
--- a/cabot_ui/cabot_ui/interface.py
+++ b/cabot_ui/cabot_ui/interface.py
@@ -371,8 +371,8 @@ def please_return_position(self):
 
     def requesting_describe_surround(self):
         self._activity_log("cabot/interface", "requesting_describe_surround", "")
-        self.speak(i18n.localized_string("REQUESTING_DESCRIBE_SURROUND"))
+        self.speak(i18n.localized_string("REQUESTING_DESCRIBE_SURROUND"), priority=SpeechPriority.HIGH)
 
     def describe_surround(self, description):
         self._activity_log("cabot/interface", "describe_surround", description)
-        self.speak(description)
+        self.speak(description, priority=SpeechPriority.HIGH)