diff --git a/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/skybell.py b/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/skybell.py
index 734f8e03375..44cad11e3f0 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/skybell.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/skybell.py
@@ -94,4 +94,4 @@ class SkybellBinarySensor(SkybellDevice, BinarySensorDevice):
 
         self._state = bool(event and event.get('id') != self._event.get('id'))
 
-        self._event = event
+        self._event = event or {}