diff --git a/activitylog/__init__.py b/activitylog/__init__.py
index c896944..b6e1f7f 100644
--- a/activitylog/__init__.py
+++ b/activitylog/__init__.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ from .activitylog import ActivityLogger
 __red_end_user_data_statement__ = "Depending on setup, can log user messages, voice channel activity, audit actions in guilds, activity statistics per guild, user name changes, and any moderation actions per guild."
 
 
-async def setup(bot):
+def setup(bot):
     n = ActivityLogger(bot)
-    await n.initialize()
     bot.add_cog(n)
diff --git a/activitylog/activitylog.py b/activitylog/activitylog.py
index fe989b1..18e19a3 100644
--- a/activitylog/activitylog.py
+++ b/activitylog/activitylog.py
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ class ActivityLogger(commands.Cog):
 
         # remove userinfo since we are replacing it
         self.bot.remove_command("userinfo")
+        self.load_task = asyncio.create_task(self.initialize())
 
     def cog_unload(self):
         self.lock = True
@@ -96,6 +97,9 @@ class ActivityLogger(commands.Cog):
         for h in self.handles.values():
             h.close()
 
+        if self.load_task:
+            self.load_task.cancel()
+
     async def initialize(self):
         await self.bot.wait_until_ready()