diff --git a/__init__.py b/__init__.py
index 10fb269..8c43c2b 100755
--- a/__init__.py
+++ b/__init__.py
@@ -344,6 +344,7 @@ def speak(text, interrupt=True):
     current_time = pygame.time.get_ticks()
     
     # Check if this is the same text within the delay window
+    global lastSpoken
     if (_lastSpoken["text"] == text and 
         current_time - _lastSpoken["time"] < _speechDelay):
         return