diff --git a/platypush/message/event/assistant/__init__.py b/platypush/message/event/assistant/__init__.py
index 2047c1a62..1ca2049e6 100644
--- a/platypush/message/event/assistant/__init__.py
+++ b/platypush/message/event/assistant/__init__.py
@@ -17,15 +17,12 @@ class AssistantEvent(Event):
         if assistant:
             self._assistant = assistant
         else:
-            self._assistant = get_backend('assistant.google')
-
-            if not self._assistant:
-                self._assistant = get_plugin('assistant.google.pushtotalk')
-
-            if not self._assistant:
-                self.logger.warning(
-                    'Assistant plugin/backend not configured/initialized'
-                )
+            try:
+                self._assistant = get_backend('assistant.google')
+                if not self._assistant:
+                    self._assistant = get_plugin('assistant.google.pushtotalk')
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.logger.debug('Could not initialize the assistant component: %s', e)
                 self._assistant = None
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_event_parse.py b/tests/test_event_parse.py
index dfb45e449..443336f79 100644
--- a/tests/test_event_parse.py
+++ b/tests/test_event_parse.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def test_speech_recognized_event_parse():
     assert 'answer' in result.parsed_args
     assert result.parsed_args['answer'] == '42'
 
-    event = PingEvent(phrase="what is not the answer? 43")
+    event = SpeechRecognizedEvent(phrase="what is not the answer? 43")
     result = event.matches_condition(condition)
     assert not result.is_match