diff --git a/library/net_infrastructure/firewalld b/library/net_infrastructure/firewalld
index 531e48a539c..01d4f3fae6e 100644
--- a/library/net_infrastructure/firewalld
+++ b/library/net_infrastructure/firewalld
@@ -194,8 +194,12 @@ def main():
     timeout = module.params['timeout']
 
     ## Check for firewalld running
-    if fw.connected == False:
-        module.fail_json(msg='firewalld service must be running')
+    try:
+        if fw.connected == False:
+            module.fail_json(msg='firewalld service must be running')
+    except AttributeError:
+        module.fail_json(msg="firewalld connection can't be established,\
+                version likely too old. Requires firewalld >= 2.0.11")
 
     if service != None and port != None:
         module.fail_json(msg='can only operate on port or service at once')