diff --git a/ovos_tts_plugin_mimic3/__init__.py b/ovos_tts_plugin_mimic3/__init__.py
index 1135e1f..d947794 100644
--- a/ovos_tts_plugin_mimic3/__init__.py
+++ b/ovos_tts_plugin_mimic3/__init__.py
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ def _validate_args_combo(self, lang=None, voice=None, speaker=None):
                 voice = self.default_voices[lang]
             else:
                 raise ValueError(f"Selected lang {lang} is not supported!")
-        elif speaker:
+        elif speaker and isinstance(speaker, str):
             pass  # TODO validate speaker is valid for default voice
         else:
             voice = self.voice