diff --git a/src/aare/gui/widgets/alert_banner.py b/src/aare/gui/widgets/alert_banner.py
index 7f18386d..2102a2ef 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/widgets/alert_banner.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/widgets/alert_banner.py
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ class AlertBanner(QFrame):
     def __init__(self, parent=None):
         super().__init__(parent)
 
+        self._current_message = None
+        self._current_is_error = None
         self._clear_timer = QTimer(self)
         self._clear_timer.setSingleShot(True)
         self._clear_timer.timeout.connect(self.clear_message)
@@ -81,7 +83,10 @@ class AlertBanner(QFrame):
                 "  padding: 2px 6px 2px 6px;"
                 "}"
             )
-            timeout = 5000 if auto_clear_ms is None else int(auto_clear_ms)
+            if auto_clear_ms is None:
+                timeout = 5000
+            else:
+                timeout = int(auto_clear_ms)
             self._clear_timer.start(timeout)
 
         self._current_message = msg