diff --git a/src/checkers/periodicAwsChecker.go b/src/checkers/periodicAwsChecker.go
index 9a922a1..bc57ffa 100644
--- a/src/checkers/periodicAwsChecker.go
+++ b/src/checkers/periodicAwsChecker.go
@@ -43,7 +43,15 @@ func (p *PeriodicAwsChecker) StartChecking() {
 		p.exporter.ResetMetrics()
 
 		// Create a Session with a custom region
-		svc := secretsmanager.New(session.New(), aws.NewConfig().WithRegion(p.awsRegion))
+		session, err := session.NewSession()
+		
+		if err != nil {
+			glog.Error("Error initializing AWS session: ", err)
+			metrics.ErrorTotal.Inc()
+			continue
+		}
+
+		svc := secretsmanager.New(session, aws.NewConfig().WithRegion(p.awsRegion))
 
 		for _, secretName := range p.awsSecrets {
 			glog.Info("Getting secret " + secretName + " from AWS Secrets Manager")