diff --git a/discord.go b/discord.go
index 194e57f..e340a9b 100644
--- a/discord.go
+++ b/discord.go
@@ -196,11 +196,13 @@ func (s *Session) AddHandler(handler interface{}) func() {
 // handle calls any handlers that match the event type and any handlers of
 // interface{}.
 func (s *Session) handle(event interface{}) {
-	s.initialize()
-
 	s.handlersMu.RLock()
 	defer s.handlersMu.RUnlock()
 
+	if s.handlers == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
 	handlerParameters := []reflect.Value{reflect.ValueOf(s), reflect.ValueOf(event)}
 
 	if handlers, ok := s.handlers[reflect.TypeOf(event)]; ok {
diff --git a/wsapi.go b/wsapi.go
index a2bbef5..7dc320a 100644
--- a/wsapi.go
+++ b/wsapi.go
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ func (s *Session) Open() (err error) {
 
 	s.Unlock()
 
+	s.initialize()
 	s.handle(&Connect{})
 
 	return