diff --git a/src/components/neo_pixels.py b/src/components/neo_pixels.py
index 63f89e0..3656826 100644
--- a/src/components/neo_pixels.py
+++ b/src/components/neo_pixels.py
@@ -51,8 +51,6 @@ class NeoPixels(Component):
 
     @Component.reconfig_on_error
     def _set(self, data=None):
-        if not self.ready:
-            raise AssertionError("component not ready")
         if not isinstance(data, dict):
             raise ValueError(f"bad call data: {data!r}")
         pixel = data.get("pixel", None)
@@ -61,13 +59,10 @@ class NeoPixels(Component):
             raise ValueError(f"the pixel parameter must be a int between 0 and {C_UINT32_MAX} (broadcast)")
         if not isinstance(color, str) or not color.startswith("#") or len(color) != 7:
             raise ValueError("the color parameter must be in the html hex format: '#RRGGBB'")
-        try:
-            self.conn.write(int.to_bytes(pixel, length=4, byteorder="big") + bytes.fromhex(color[1:7]) + b"\n")
-            response = self.conn.readline()
-            if response != b"ok\n":
-                self.log.error(response.strip())
-        except serial.serialutil.SerialException:
-            self.log.exception(traceback.format_exc())
+        self.conn.write(int.to_bytes(pixel, length=4, byteorder="big") + bytes.fromhex(color[1:7]) + b"\n")
+        response = self.conn.readline()
+        if response != b"ok\n":
+            self.log.error(response.strip())
 
     def set(self, pixel, color):
         self.request.emit({"pixel": pixel, "color": color})