diff --git a/config_sample.yml b/config_sample.yml
index 85bb1df4..3b4f2479 100644
--- a/config_sample.yml
+++ b/config_sample.yml
@@ -83,6 +83,9 @@ model:
   # Enable this if the program is looking for a specific OAI model
   #use_dummy_models: False
 
+  # Allow direct loading of models from a completion or chat completion request
+  inline_model_loading: False
+
   # An initial model to load. Make sure the model is located in the model directory!
   # A model can be loaded later via the API.
   # REQUIRED: This must be filled out to load a model on startup!
diff --git a/endpoints/OAI/router.py b/endpoints/OAI/router.py
index 66bc759f..1b98f41d 100644
--- a/endpoints/OAI/router.py
+++ b/endpoints/OAI/router.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 )
 from endpoints.OAI.utils.completion import (
     generate_completion,
+    load_inline_model,
     stream_generate_completion,
 )
 from endpoints.OAI.utils.embeddings import get_embeddings
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ def setup():
 # Completions endpoint
 @router.post(
     "/v1/completions",
-    dependencies=[Depends(check_api_key), Depends(check_model_container)],
+    dependencies=[Depends(check_api_key)],
 )
 async def completion_request(
     request: Request, data: CompletionRequest
@@ -52,6 +53,11 @@ async def completion_request(
     If stream = true, this returns an SSE stream.
     """
 
+    if data.model:
+        await load_inline_model(data.model, request)
+    else:
+        await check_model_container()
+
     model_path = model.container.model_dir
 
     if isinstance(data.prompt, list):
@@ -86,7 +92,7 @@ async def completion_request(
 # Chat completions endpoint
 @router.post(
     "/v1/chat/completions",
-    dependencies=[Depends(check_api_key), Depends(check_model_container)],
+    dependencies=[Depends(check_api_key)],
 )
 async def chat_completion_request(
     request: Request, data: ChatCompletionRequest
@@ -97,6 +103,11 @@ async def chat_completion_request(
     If stream = true, this returns an SSE stream.
     """
 
+    if data.model:
+        await load_inline_model(data.model, request)
+    else:
+        await check_model_container()
+
     if model.container.prompt_template is None:
         error_message = handle_request_error(
             "Chat completions are disabled because a prompt template is not set.",
diff --git a/endpoints/OAI/types/chat_completion.py b/endpoints/OAI/types/chat_completion.py
index 89777923..30ec7699 100644
--- a/endpoints/OAI/types/chat_completion.py
+++ b/endpoints/OAI/types/chat_completion.py
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class ChatCompletionRequest(CommonCompletionRequest):
     add_generation_prompt: Optional[bool] = True
     template_vars: Optional[dict] = {}
     response_prefix: Optional[str] = None
+    model: Optional[str] = None
 
     # tools is follows the format OAI schema, functions is more flexible
     # both are available in the chat template.
diff --git a/endpoints/OAI/utils/completion.py b/endpoints/OAI/utils/completion.py
index 52c2bb46..cc752c52 100644
--- a/endpoints/OAI/utils/completion.py
+++ b/endpoints/OAI/utils/completion.py
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
-"""Completion utilities for OAI server."""
+"""
+Completion utilities for OAI server.
+
+Also serves as a common module for completions and chat completions.
+"""
 
 import asyncio
 import pathlib
@@ -9,7 +13,8 @@
 
 from loguru import logger
 
-from common import model
+from common import config, model
+from common.auth import get_key_permission
 from common.networking import (
     get_generator_error,
     handle_request_disconnect,
@@ -103,6 +108,48 @@ async def _stream_collector(
         await gen_queue.put(e)
 
 
+async def load_inline_model(model_name: str, request: Request):
+    """Load a model from the data.model parameter"""
+
+    # Return if the model container already exists
+    if model.container and model.container.model_dir.name == model_name:
+        return
+
+    model_config = config.model_config()
+
+    # Inline model loading isn't enabled or the user isn't an admin
+    if not get_key_permission(request) == "admin":
+        error_message = handle_request_error(
+            f"Unable to switch model to {model_name} because "
+            + "an admin key isn't provided",
+            exc_info=False,
+        ).error.message
+
+        raise HTTPException(401, error_message)
+
+    if not unwrap(model_config.get("inline_model_loading"), False):
+        logger.warning(
+            f"Unable to switch model to {model_name} because "
+            '"inline_model_load" is not True in config.yml.'
+        )
+
+        return
+
+    model_path = pathlib.Path(unwrap(model_config.get("model_dir"), "models"))
+    model_path = model_path / model_name
+
+    # Model path doesn't exist
+    if not model_path.exists():
+        logger.warning(
+            f"Could not find model path {str(model_path)}. Skipping inline model load."
+        )
+
+        return
+
+    # Load the model
+    await model.load_model(model_path)
+
+
 async def stream_generate_completion(
     data: CompletionRequest, request: Request, model_path: pathlib.Path
 ):