diff --git a/frigate/comms/ws.py b/frigate/comms/ws.py
index 98f24cf28..fccd8db5c 100644
--- a/frigate/comms/ws.py
+++ b/frigate/comms/ws.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class WebSocketClient(Communicator):  # type: ignore[misc]
 
     def __init__(self, config: FrigateConfig) -> None:
         self.config = config
+        self.websocket_server = None
 
     def subscribe(self, receiver: Callable) -> None:
         self._dispatcher = receiver
@@ -98,6 +99,10 @@ class WebSocketClient(Communicator):  # type: ignore[misc]
             logger.debug(f"payload for {topic} wasn't text. Skipping...")
             return
 
+        if self.websocket_server is None:
+            logger.debug("Skipping message, websocket not connected yet")
+            return
+
         try:
             self.websocket_server.manager.broadcast(ws_message)
         except ConnectionResetError: