diff --git a/src/backend/matrix_client.py b/src/backend/matrix_client.py
index 5a5f36fc..1e130c4a 100644
--- a/src/backend/matrix_client.py
+++ b/src/backend/matrix_client.py
@@ -1858,7 +1858,7 @@ class MatrixClient(nio.AsyncClient):
 
         if enable is not None and (old.enabled if old else True) != enable:
             await self.enable_pushrule("global", kind, rule_id, enable)
-        elif kind_change or rule_id_change and not old.enabled:
+        elif kind_change or rule_id_change and old and not old.enabled:
             await self.enable_pushrule("global", kind, rule_id, False)