diff --git a/redbot/cogs/streams/main.py b/redbot/cogs/streams/main.py
index a6d6db7ed..e030f3943 100644
--- a/redbot/cogs/streams/main.py
+++ b/redbot/cogs/streams/main.py
@@ -41,8 +41,12 @@ class Streams:
 
         self.bot = bot
 
-        self.streams = self.bot.loop.create_task(self.load_streams())
-        self.communities = self.bot.loop.create_task(self.load_communities())
+        self.bot.loop.create_task(self._initialize_lists())
+
+    async def _initialize_lists(self):
+        self.streams = await self.load_streams()
+        self.communities = await self.load_communities()
+
         self.task = self.bot.loop.create_task(self._stream_alerts())
 
     @commands.command()