diff --git a/engine/engine.py b/engine/engine.py
index 251ce8b..3b25cbf 100644
--- a/engine/engine.py
+++ b/engine/engine.py
@@ -193,6 +193,9 @@ def __init__(self, bus, object_path):
         if self.config.get_value('use_nicola'):
             self.__nicola = nicola.Nicola(time_func=time.time)
             self.__nicola_handler = None
+        else:
+            self.__nicola = None
+
 
     def __init_props(self):
         skk_props = ibus.PropList()