diff --git a/lib/aasm/persistence/active_record_persistence.rb b/lib/aasm/persistence/active_record_persistence.rb
index 7e3abed..7af4815 100644
--- a/lib/aasm/persistence/active_record_persistence.rb
+++ b/lib/aasm/persistence/active_record_persistence.rb
@@ -164,7 +164,9 @@ module AASM
         #   foo.aasm_state # => nil
         #
         def aasm_ensure_initial_state
-          if respond_to?(self.class.aasm.attribute_name) && send(self.class.aasm.attribute_name).blank?
+          # checking via respond_to? does not work in Rails <= 3
+          # if respond_to?(self.class.aasm.attribute_name) && send(self.class.aasm.attribute_name).blank? # Rails 4
+          if attributes.key?(self.class.aasm.attribute_name.to_s) && send(self.class.aasm.attribute_name).blank?
             aasm.enter_initial_state
           end
         end