diff --git a/unittests/test_event.py b/unittests/test_event.py
index 20b3ec3b..1b94f9ac 100644
--- a/unittests/test_event.py
+++ b/unittests/test_event.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ class Events(unittest.TestCase):
         evt = wx.FocusEvent()
 
     def test_HelpEvent_ctor(self):
+        app = wx.App()
         evt = wx.HelpEvent()
 
     def test_IconizeEvent_ctor(self):