diff --git a/redis/connection.py b/redis/connection.py
index 57f0a3a81e..dc25742dff 100755
--- a/redis/connection.py
+++ b/redis/connection.py
@@ -334,11 +334,12 @@ def can_read(self, timeout):
         return self._buffer and self._buffer.can_read(timeout)
 
     def read_response(self, disable_decoding=False):
-        pos = self._buffer.get_pos()
+        pos = self._buffer.get_pos() if self._buffer else None
         try:
             result = self._read_response(disable_decoding=disable_decoding)
         except BaseException:
-            self._buffer.rewind(pos)
+            if self._buffer:
+                self._buffer.rewind(pos)
             raise
         else:
             self._buffer.purge()