diff --git a/borgmatic/hooks/pushover.py b/borgmatic/hooks/pushover.py
index 1ce7eaed..439f2720 100644
--- a/borgmatic/hooks/pushover.py
+++ b/borgmatic/hooks/pushover.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 EMERGENCY_PRIORITY = 2
 
+
 def initialize_monitor(
     ping_url, config, config_filename, monitoring_log_level, dry_run
 ):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ def ping_monitor(hook_config, config, config_filename, state, monitoring_log_lev
 
     dry_run_label = ' (dry run; not actually updating)' if dry_run else ''
 
-    state_config = hook_config.get(state.name.lower())
+    state_config = hook_config.get(state.name.lower(), {})
 
     token = hook_config.get('token')
     user = hook_config.get('user')
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ def ping_monitor(hook_config, config, config_filename, state, monitoring_log_lev
         'user': user,
         'message': state.name.lower(),  # default to state name. Can be overwritten in state_config loop below.
     }
-    
+
     for key in state_config:
         data[key] = state_config[key]
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/hooks/test_pushover.py b/tests/unit/hooks/test_pushover.py
index bf6396eb..bcb23b7f 100644
--- a/tests/unit/hooks/test_pushover.py
+++ b/tests/unit/hooks/test_pushover.py
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ def test_ping_monitor_start_state_backup_default_message_with_priority_emergency
             'message': 'start',
             'priority': 2,
             'retry': 30,
-            'expire': 1200,
+            'expire': 600,
         },
     ).and_return(flexmock(ok=True)).once()
 
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ def test_ping_monitor_start_state_backup_based_on_documentation_advanced_example
         'fail': {
             'message': 'Backup <font color="#ff6961">Failed</font>',
             'priority': 2,
-            'expire': 1200,
+            'expire': 600,
             'retry': 30,
             'device': 'pixel8',
             'title': 'Backup Failed',
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ def test_ping_monitor_fail_state_backup_based_on_documentation_advanced_example_
         'fail': {
             'message': 'Backup <font color="#ff6961">Failed</font>',
             'priority': 2,
-            'expire': 1200,
+            'expire': 600,
             'retry': 30,
             'device': 'pixel8',
             'title': 'Backup Failed',
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ def test_ping_monitor_fail_state_backup_based_on_documentation_advanced_example_
             'user': '983hfe0of902lkjfa2amanfgui',
             'message': 'Backup <font color="#ff6961">Failed</font>',
             'priority': 2,
-            'expire': 1200,
+            'expire': 600,
             'retry': 30,
             'device': 'pixel8',
             'title': 'Backup Failed',
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ def test_ping_monitor_finish_state_backup_based_on_documentation_advanced_exampl
         'fail': {
             'message': 'Backup <font color="#ff6961">Failed</font>',
             'priority': 2,
-            'expire': 1200,
+            'expire': 600,
             'retry': 30,
             'device': 'pixel8',
             'title': 'Backup Failed',