diff --git a/disagreement/client.py b/disagreement/client.py
index c8e37c1..03fb37b 100644
--- a/disagreement/client.py
+++ b/disagreement/client.py
@@ -76,7 +76,11 @@ class Client:
         intents (Optional[int]): The Gateway Intents to use. Defaults to `GatewayIntent.default()`.
                                  You might need to enable privileged intents in your bot's application page.
         loop (Optional[asyncio.AbstractEventLoop]): The event loop to use for asynchronous operations.
-                                                    Defaults to `asyncio.get_event_loop()`.
+                                                    Defaults to the running loop
+                                                    via `asyncio.get_running_loop()`,
+                                                    or a new loop from
+                                                    `asyncio.new_event_loop()` if
+                                                    none is running.
         command_prefix (Union[str, List[str], Callable[['Client', Message], Union[str, List[str]]]]):
             The prefix(es) for commands. Defaults to '!'.
         verbose (bool): If True, print raw HTTP and Gateway traffic for debugging.
diff --git a/disagreement/error_handler.py b/disagreement/error_handler.py
index 0240cca..e814518 100644
--- a/disagreement/error_handler.py
+++ b/disagreement/error_handler.py
@@ -14,7 +14,11 @@ def setup_global_error_handler(
     The handler logs unhandled exceptions so they don't crash the bot.
     """
     if loop is None:
-        loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        try:
+            loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        except RuntimeError:
+            loop = asyncio.new_event_loop()
+            asyncio.set_event_loop(loop)
 
     if not logging.getLogger().hasHandlers():
         setup_logging(logging.ERROR)
diff --git a/disagreement/gateway.py b/disagreement/gateway.py
index b22459a..6499607 100644
--- a/disagreement/gateway.py
+++ b/disagreement/gateway.py
@@ -65,7 +65,11 @@ class GatewayClient:
         self._max_backoff: float = max_backoff
 
         self._ws: Optional[aiohttp.ClientWebSocketResponse] = None
-        self._loop: asyncio.AbstractEventLoop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        try:
+            self._loop: asyncio.AbstractEventLoop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        except RuntimeError:
+            self._loop = asyncio.new_event_loop()
+            asyncio.set_event_loop(self._loop)
         self._heartbeat_interval: Optional[float] = None
         self._last_sequence: Optional[int] = None
         self._session_id: Optional[str] = None
diff --git a/tests/test_gateway_backoff.py b/tests/test_gateway_backoff.py
index a4c3723..f64a62b 100644
--- a/tests/test_gateway_backoff.py
+++ b/tests/test_gateway_backoff.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class DummyDispatcher:
 
 class DummyClient:
     def __init__(self):
-        self.loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+        self.loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
         self.application_id = None  # Mock application_id for Client.connect
 
 
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ async def test_client_connect_backoff(monkeypatch):
     client = Client(
         token="test_token",
         intents=0,
-        loop=asyncio.get_event_loop(),
+        loop=asyncio.get_running_loop(),
         command_prefix="!",
         verbose=False,
         mention_replies=False,