diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 42458f1..54ac3f4 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 setuptools.setup(
     name="schulich-ignite",
-    version="0.0.7",
+    version="0.0.8",
     author="Schulich Ignite",
     author_email="info@shulichignite.com",
     description="Spark library for Shulich Ignite sessions",
diff --git a/spark/core.py b/spark/core.py
index b78735b..101d3a5 100644
--- a/spark/core.py
+++ b/spark/core.py
@@ -159,6 +159,7 @@ def loop(self):
         # Set active thread to this thread. This will stop any other active thread.
         current_thread_id = threading.current_thread().native_id
         _sparkplug_active_thread_id = current_thread_id
+        _sparkplug_running = True
         self.refresh_last_activity()
 
         draw = self._methods.get("draw", None)