diff --git a/youtube_dl/utils.py b/youtube_dl/utils.py
index a84aa59c2..5ba06d965 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/utils.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/utils.py
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ def make_HTTPS_handler(opts_no_check_certificate):
 
             def connect(self):
                 sock = socket.create_connection((self.host, self.port), self.timeout)
-                if self._tunnel_host:
+                if getattr(self, '_tunnel_host', False):
                     self.sock = sock
                     self._tunnel()
                 try: