diff --git a/src/connectivityserver/connectionflask.py b/src/connectivityserver/connectionflask.py
index 16ea84c..ff2b50f 100755
--- a/src/connectivityserver/connectionflask.py
+++ b/src/connectivityserver/connectionflask.py
@@ -59,12 +59,11 @@ def convert_log_level(log_level):
 maxentries = {}
 
 app = Flask(__name__)
+global appstarted
 appstarted = False
 
 
-@app.before_first_request
-def mark_started():
-    global appstarted
+with app.app_context():
     appstarted = True