diff --git a/scripts/example_bot.py b/scripts/example_bot.py
index c331a82..0778a92 100644
--- a/scripts/example_bot.py
+++ b/scripts/example_bot.py
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ def main():
 
     app: QApplication = QApplication(sys.argv)
     recorder: RecorderWindow = RecorderWindow("localhost", 5000)
-    bot: ExampleBot = ExampleBot(recorder)
+    bot: ExampleBot = ExampleBot()
+    bot.set_recorder(recorder)
 
     app.aboutToQuit.connect(recorder.shutdown)
     recorder.register_bot(bot)
diff --git a/src/bot.py b/src/bot.py
index 85046c5..990af08 100644
--- a/src/bot.py
+++ b/src/bot.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
 
 from src.snapshot import Snapshot
 
@@ -9,8 +9,18 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
 
 class Bot:
-    def __init__(self, recorder: RecorderWindow):
-        self.recorder: RecorderWindow = recorder
+    def __init__(self):
+        self._recorder: Optional[RecorderWindow] = None
+
+    @property
+    def recorder(self) -> RecorderWindow:
+        if self._recorder is None:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "Bot does not have a recorder. Call Bot.set_recorder to set one")
+        return self._recorder
+
+    def set_recorder(self, recorder: RecorderWindow):
+        self._recorder = recorder
 
     def on_snapshot_received(self, snapshot: Snapshot):
         pass