diff --git a/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py b/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py
index 448ed9540dbd36cf14e46bbe839db466542a1ada..9842ce4431ab2a0838014a2467b19c53b474697b 100644
--- a/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py
+++ b/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py
@@ -431,6 +431,7 @@ class XEP_0384(BasePlugin):
         disco = await self.xmpp['xep_0030'].get_info(jid.bare)
         publish_options = PUBLISH_OPTIONS_NODE in disco['disco_info'].get_features()
 
+        options = None
         if publish_options:
             options = _make_publish_options_form({
                 'pubsub#persist_items': True,