diff --git a/misp_modules/modules/expansion/virustotal_public.py b/misp_modules/modules/expansion/virustotal_public.py
index 95cd70c8..6f291414 100644
--- a/misp_modules/modules/expansion/virustotal_public.py
+++ b/misp_modules/modules/expansion/virustotal_public.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import json
 import logging
+import asyncio
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
 import vt
@@ -284,6 +285,11 @@ def parse_error(status_code: int) -> str:
 def handler(q=False):
     if q is False:
         return False
+    try:
+        asyncio.get_running_loop()
+    except RuntimeError:
+        asyncio.set_event_loop(asyncio.new_event_loop())
+    
     request = json.loads(q)
     if not request.get("config") or not request["config"].get("apikey"):
         misperrors["error"] = "A VirusTotal api key is required for this module."