diff --git a/src/Avatar.php b/src/Avatar.php
index a8c20f2..4bb7286 100644
--- a/src/Avatar.php
+++ b/src/Avatar.php
@@ -202,6 +202,8 @@ public function toBase64(): string
             return $this->image->encodeUsingFormat(Format::PNG)->toDataUri();
         }
 
+        $this->buildInitial();
+
         $key = $this->cacheKeyPrefix.$this->cacheKey();
 
         // Check if the image is in the cache
diff --git a/tests/AvatarPhpTest.php b/tests/AvatarPhpTest.php
index 213adfb..1a2e28f 100644
--- a/tests/AvatarPhpTest.php
+++ b/tests/AvatarPhpTest.php
@@ -205,6 +205,34 @@ public function it_can_generate_base64_from_cache()
         $this->assertEquals($cachedAvatar, $result);
     }
 
+    #[Test]
+    public function it_uses_computed_initials_in_cache_key_for_to_base64()
+    {
+        $name = 'John Doe';
+
+        // Compute the expected cache key by building initials with FooGenerator first
+        $helperAvatar = new \Laravolt\Avatar\Avatar;
+        $helperAvatar->setGenerator(new FooGenerator);
+        $helperAvatar->create($name)->setDimension(5, 5);
+        $reflection = new \ReflectionClass($helperAvatar);
+        $buildInitial = $reflection->getMethod('buildInitial');
+        $buildInitial->setAccessible(true);
+        $buildInitial->invoke($helperAvatar);
+        $cacheKeyMethod = $reflection->getMethod('cacheKey');
+        $cacheKeyMethod->setAccessible(true);
+        $expectedKey = 'avatar_'.$cacheKeyMethod->invoke($helperAvatar);
+
+        // Assert that toBase64() calls cache->get() with the initials-based key,
+        // confirming buildInitial() runs before cacheKey() in toBase64()
+        $cache = Mockery::mock('Illuminate\Contracts\Cache\Repository');
+        $cache->shouldReceive('get')->with($expectedKey)->once()->andReturn(null);
+        $cache->shouldReceive('put')->andReturn(true);
+
+        $avatar = new \Laravolt\Avatar\Avatar([], $cache);
+        $avatar->setGenerator(new FooGenerator);
+        $avatar->create($name)->setDimension(5, 5)->toBase64();
+    }
+
     #[Test]
     public function it_can_generate_file()
     {