diff --git a/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/template.py b/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/template.py
index f5a8899af96..901943d6671 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/template.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/template.py
@@ -90,6 +90,8 @@ class BinarySensorTemplate(BinarySensorDevice):
         hass.bus.listen(EVENT_STATE_CHANGED, self._event_listener)
 
     def _event_listener(self, event):
+        if not hasattr(self, 'hass'):
+            return
         self.update_ha_state(True)
 
     @property
diff --git a/homeassistant/components/sensor/template.py b/homeassistant/components/sensor/template.py
index 65df431d2b9..fb5060744eb 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/sensor/template.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/sensor/template.py
@@ -86,12 +86,13 @@ class SensorTemplate(Entity):
         self._unit_of_measurement = unit_of_measurement
         self._template = state_template
         self.update()
+        self.hass.bus.listen(EVENT_STATE_CHANGED, self._event_listener)
 
-        def _update_callback(_event):
-            """ Called when the target device changes state. """
-            self.update_ha_state(True)
-
-        self.hass.bus.listen(EVENT_STATE_CHANGED, _update_callback)
+    def _event_listener(self, event):
+        """ Called when the target device changes state. """
+        if not hasattr(self, 'hass'):
+            return
+        self.update_ha_state(True)
 
     @property
     def name(self):
diff --git a/homeassistant/components/switch/template.py b/homeassistant/components/switch/template.py
index ec6cb7d2e8e..64d58b64fcd 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/switch/template.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/switch/template.py
@@ -100,12 +100,13 @@ class SwitchTemplate(SwitchDevice):
         self._on_action = on_action
         self._off_action = off_action
         self.update()
+        self.hass.bus.listen(EVENT_STATE_CHANGED, self._event_listener)
 
-        def _update_callback(_event):
-            """Called when the target device changes state."""
-            self.update_ha_state(True)
-
-        self.hass.bus.listen(EVENT_STATE_CHANGED, _update_callback)
+    def _event_listener(self, event):
+        """ Called when the target device changes state. """
+        if not hasattr(self, 'hass'):
+            return
+        self.update_ha_state(True)
 
     @property
     def name(self):