diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index d97bff2..bd594af 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-
 import asyncio
 import discord
 from discord.ext import commands, tasks
@@ -13,7 +12,7 @@ from os import environ as env
 TOKEN = env['TOKEN']
 MINUTES = 30
 ROLE = int(env['ROLE'])
-CHANNEL = int(env['CHANNEL_ID'])
+CHANNEL = None  # Global variable
 
 def decode(value):
     return b64decode(value).decode('utf-8')
@@ -28,15 +27,26 @@ bot = commands.Bot(command_prefix="!", intents=intents)
 
 @bot.event
 async def on_ready():
+    global CHANNEL  # Fixing scope issue
     print(f"Logged in as {bot.user}")
     CHANNEL = bot.get_channel(int(env['CHANNEL_ID']))
+
+    if CHANNEL is None:
+        print("Error: Channel ID is invalid or bot lacks permissions.")
+        return
+
     await send_trivia()
-    check_inactivity.start()
+    check_inactivity.start()  # Now starts only if CHANNEL is valid
 
 active_trivia = {}  # Format: {message_id: {"correct_answer": answer, "count": 0}}
 
 @tasks.loop(seconds=150)
 async def check_inactivity():
+    global CHANNEL
+    if CHANNEL is None:
+        print("Error: CHANNEL is None, skipping inactivity check.")
+        return
+
     if ROLE is not None:
         current_time = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
         print(f"{current_time.strftime('%H:%M:%S')} - Running inactivity check")
@@ -76,6 +86,11 @@ async def on_message(message):
             print(f"{datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime('%H:%M:%S')} - Removed trivia question ID {message.reference.message_id} after {trivia_data['max_replies']} replies")
 
 async def send_trivia():
+    global CHANNEL
+    if CHANNEL is None:
+        print("Error: CHANNEL is None, cannot send trivia.")
+        return
+
     print(f"{datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime('%H:%M:%S')} - Channel is inactive, sending message")
     current_question = requests.get(OPENTDB_URL).json()['results'][0]