diff --git a/dap/accumulator.py b/dap/accumulator.py
index 9be5745..1bc8a55 100644
--- a/dap/accumulator.py
+++ b/dap/accumulator.py
@@ -29,8 +29,7 @@ def accumulate(accumulator_addr, bsread_port):
 
     sorter = Sorter()
 
-    if bsread_port:
-        sender = make_bsread_sender(bsread_port)
+    sender = make_bsread_sender(bsread_port)
 
     while True:
         if not zmq_socks.has_data():
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ def accumulate(accumulator_addr, bsread_port):
 
         output.write(pulse_id, res_is_good_frame, res_is_hit_frame, res_number_of_spots, res_laser_on, *res_roi_intensities)
 
-        if not bsread_port:
+        if not sender:
             continue
 
         timestamp = tuple(results["timestamp"])
diff --git a/dap/utils/bsreadext.py b/dap/utils/bsreadext.py
index 61cb85a..2c1b4c2 100644
--- a/dap/utils/bsreadext.py
+++ b/dap/utils/bsreadext.py
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ from bsread.sender import Sender, PUB
 
 
 def make_bsread_sender(bsread_port):
+    if not bsread_port:
+        return None
     sender = Sender(port=bsread_port, block=False, mode=PUB)
     sender.open()
     return sender