diff --git a/lib/kubeclient/http_error.rb b/lib/kubeclient/http_error.rb
index fd49c2a5..a1bd6bea 100644
--- a/lib/kubeclient/http_error.rb
+++ b/lib/kubeclient/http_error.rb
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ def initialize(error_code, message, response) # rubocop:disable Lint/MissingSupe
 
   def to_s
     string = "HTTP status code #{@error_code}, #{@message}"
-    if @response[:request]
+    if @response && @response[:request]
       request_method = @response[:request][:method]&.to_s&.upcase
       request_path = @response[:request][:url_path]
       string += " for #{request_method} #{request_path}"