diff --git a/podstatus/app.py b/podstatus/app.py
index 470f011..7a6ffac 100644
--- a/podstatus/app.py
+++ b/podstatus/app.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
     led_per_pod = 3
 except NoBackendError as e:
     logging.fatal(f"BlinkStick setup failed: {e}")
+    bstick = None
 
 
 # Threading setup