diff --git a/sml/tests/base.py b/sml/tests/base.py
index 676ed3e6a..b5454f83f 100755
--- a/sml/tests/base.py
+++ b/sml/tests/base.py
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ def plugin(self):
 
         self.sh = MockSmartHome()
         plugin = Sml(self.sh)
+        plugin.alive = True
         plugin.connect()
         plugin.data = SmlPacketReader()
         plugin._serial = plugin.data