diff --git a/docs/docs/release_notes.md b/docs/docs/release_notes.md
index 47a49f3..59aabd6 100644
--- a/docs/docs/release_notes.md
+++ b/docs/docs/release_notes.md
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+### 4.0.1
+- Fix an issue in `startup` lifespan
+
 ### 4.0.0
 - Move `database` and `redis` connections from `MIDDLEWARES` to their own block, `DATABASE` and `REDIS`
 - Make `Database` queries `async`
diff --git a/panther/__init__.py b/panther/__init__.py
index fcb1cf4..dcfa61b 100644
--- a/panther/__init__.py
+++ b/panther/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from panther.main import Panther  # noqa: F401
 
-__version__ = '4.0.0'
+__version__ = '4.0.1'
 
 
 def version():
diff --git a/panther/base_websocket.py b/panther/base_websocket.py
index 5ba79e6..587fecb 100644
--- a/panther/base_websocket.py
+++ b/panther/base_websocket.py
@@ -182,10 +182,9 @@ async def start(self):
               but they have same Manager()
         """
 
-        if config.HAS_WS:
-            # Schedule the async function to run in the background,
-            #   We don't need to await for this task
-            asyncio.create_task(self())
+        # Schedule the async function to run in the background,
+        #   We don't need to await for this task
+        asyncio.create_task(self())
 
     @classmethod
     async def handle_authentication(cls, connection: Websocket):
diff --git a/panther/main.py b/panther/main.py
index a4a6cd9..109d4a5 100644
--- a/panther/main.py
+++ b/panther/main.py
@@ -70,7 +70,8 @@ async def __call__(self, scope: dict, receive: Callable, send: Callable) -> None
         if scope['type'] == 'lifespan':
             message = await receive()
             if message["type"] == 'lifespan.startup':
-                await config.WEBSOCKET_CONNECTIONS.start()
+                if config.HAS_WS:
+                    await config.WEBSOCKET_CONNECTIONS.start()
                 await Event.run_startups()
             elif message["type"] == 'lifespan.shutdown':
                 # It's not happening :\, so handle the shutdowns in __del__ ...