diff --git a/k4Gen/src/components/HepMCHistograms.cpp b/k4Gen/src/components/HepMCHistograms.cpp
index afc6635..dfc61f1 100644
--- a/k4Gen/src/components/HepMCHistograms.cpp
+++ b/k4Gen/src/components/HepMCHistograms.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ HepMCHistograms::HepMCHistograms(const std::string& name, ISvcLocator* svcLoc) :
 StatusCode HepMCHistograms::initialize() {
   if (Gaudi::Algorithm::initialize().isFailure()) return StatusCode::FAILURE;
 
-  if (service("THistSvc", m_ths).isFailure()) {
+  m_ths = service("THistSvc", true);
+  if (!m_ths) {
     error() << "Couldn't get THistSvc" << endmsg;
     return StatusCode::FAILURE;
   }
diff --git a/k4Gen/src/components/HepMCHistograms.h b/k4Gen/src/components/HepMCHistograms.h
index 6e04a4f..870d418 100644
--- a/k4Gen/src/components/HepMCHistograms.h
+++ b/k4Gen/src/components/HepMCHistograms.h
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class HepMCHistograms : public Gaudi::Algorithm {
   /// Handle for the HepMC to be read
   mutable DataHandle<HepMC3::GenEvent> m_hepmchandle{"HepMC", Gaudi::DataHandle::Reader, this};
 
-  ITHistSvc* m_ths{nullptr};  ///< THistogram service
+  SmartIF<ITHistSvc> m_ths;  ///< THistogram service
 
   TH1F* m_pt{nullptr};   ///< histogram for pT of particles
   TH1F* m_eta{nullptr};  ///< histogram for pseudorapidity of particles