diff --git a/include/CLUENtuplizer.h b/include/CLUENtuplizer.h
index 1cd7aaa..a3dbcda 100644
--- a/include/CLUENtuplizer.h
+++ b/include/CLUENtuplizer.h
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class CLUENtuplizer : public Gaudi::Algorithm {
 
   bool singleMCParticle = false;
 
-  ITHistSvc* m_ths{nullptr};  ///< THistogram service
+  SmartIF<ITHistSvc> m_ths;  ///< THistogram service
 
   mutable TTree* t_hits{nullptr};
   mutable std::vector<int> *m_hits_event = nullptr;
diff --git a/src/CLUENtuplizer.cpp b/src/CLUENtuplizer.cpp
index 63f41dd..4174c2c 100644
--- a/src/CLUENtuplizer.cpp
+++ b/src/CLUENtuplizer.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ CLUENtuplizer::CLUENtuplizer(const std::string& name, ISvcLocator* svcLoc) : Gau
 StatusCode CLUENtuplizer::initialize() {
   if (Gaudi::Algorithm::initialize().isFailure()) return StatusCode::FAILURE;
 
-  if (service("THistSvc", m_ths).isFailure()) {
+  m_ths = service("THistSvc", false);
+  if (!m_ths) {
     error() << "Couldn't get THistSvc" << endmsg;
     return StatusCode::FAILURE;
   }