diff --git a/__init__.py b/__init__.py
index c558014..6236389 100644
--- a/__init__.py
+++ b/__init__.py
@@ -74,6 +74,9 @@ def open(self, parent=None, detail_item=None, external=False):
         debug_print = partial(module_debug_print, 'LibgenStore:open:')
         debug_print('locals() = ', locals())
 
+        if not hasattr(self, 'libgen'):
+            self.genesis() 
+
         detail_url = (
             self.libgen.get_detail_url(detail_item)
             if detail_item