diff --git a/platypush/backend/__init__.py b/platypush/backend/__init__.py
index 559f41e4..0d81c2f7 100644
--- a/platypush/backend/__init__.py
+++ b/platypush/backend/__init__.py
@@ -196,6 +196,8 @@ class Backend(Thread):
         """
         try:
             redis = get_backend('redis')
+            if not redis:
+                raise KeyError()
         except KeyError:
             self.logger.warning("Backend {} does not implement send_message " +
                                 "and the fallback Redis backend isn't configured")