diff --git a/homeassistant/components/light/tellstick.py b/homeassistant/components/light/tellstick.py
index 90add8f012e..d23d5e2c4d6 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/light/tellstick.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/light/tellstick.py
@@ -72,7 +72,11 @@ class TellstickLight(TellstickDevice, Light):
             if brightness is not None:
                 self._brightness = brightness
 
-            self._state = (self._brightness > 0)
+            # _brightness is not defined when called from super
+            try:
+                self._state = (self._brightness > 0)
+            except AttributeError:
+                self._state = True
         else:
             self._state = False