diff --git a/libraries/entropy/cache.py b/libraries/entropy/cache.py
index 08105bfb4..94c23c696 100644
--- a/libraries/entropy/cache.py
+++ b/libraries/entropy/cache.py
@@ -152,7 +152,11 @@ class EntropyCacher(Singleton):
         __alive becomes False.
         """
         # make sure our set delay is respected
-        self.__cache_writer.set_delay(EntropyCacher.WRITEBACK_TIMEOUT)
+        try:
+            self.__cache_writer.set_delay(EntropyCacher.WRITEBACK_TIMEOUT)
+        except AttributeError:
+            # can be None
+            pass
 
         while self.__alive or run_until_empty: