diff --git a/storey/targets.py b/storey/targets.py
index 29b6ffb3..6e15b3f2 100644
--- a/storey/targets.py
+++ b/storey/targets.py
@@ -893,6 +893,7 @@ async def _worker(self):
                 in_flight_reqs.append(None)
                 in_flight_events.append(None)
             while True:
+                event = None
                 try:
                     request_sent_on_empty_queue = False
                     if self._q.empty():