diff --git a/lumen/pipeline.py b/lumen/pipeline.py
index 0f8ba8f52..357621e17 100644
--- a/lumen/pipeline.py
+++ b/lumen/pipeline.py
@@ -159,6 +159,7 @@ def __init__(self, *, source, table, schema=None, filters=None, **params):
             filters = []
         if any(isinstance(t, SQLTransform) for t in params.get('transforms', [])):
             raise TypeError('Pipeline.transforms must be regular Transform components, not SQLTransform.')
+        self._update_widget = None
         super().__init__(source=source, table=table, filters=filters, schema=schema, **params)
         self._update_widget = pn.Param(self.param['update'], widgets={'update': {'button_type': 'success'}})[0]
         self._init_callbacks()
@@ -288,7 +289,7 @@ def _compute_data(self):
 
     @catch_and_notify
     def _update_data(self, *events: param.parameterized.Event, force: bool = False):
-        if self._update_widget.loading:
+        if self._update_widget is None or self._update_widget.loading:
             return
         if not force and not self.auto_update and not self.update:
             self._stale = True