diff --git a/lib/src/main/java/io/ably/lib/realtime/ChannelBase.java b/lib/src/main/java/io/ably/lib/realtime/ChannelBase.java
index 856bb3a4e..bfffef44b 100644
--- a/lib/src/main/java/io/ably/lib/realtime/ChannelBase.java
+++ b/lib/src/main/java/io/ably/lib/realtime/ChannelBase.java
@@ -690,6 +690,15 @@ public synchronized void unsubscribe() {
         eventListeners.clear();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Checks for null channelOptions and checks if options.attachOnSubscribe is true
+     * Defaults to @true@ when channelOptions is null.
+     * Spec: RTP6d, RTP6e, TB4
+     */
+    protected boolean attachOnSubscribeEnabled() {
+        return options == null || options.attachOnSubscribe;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Registers a listener for messages on this channel.
      * The caller supplies a listener function, which is called each time one or more messages arrives on the channel.
@@ -704,7 +713,7 @@ public synchronized void unsubscribe() {
     public synchronized void subscribe(MessageListener listener) throws AblyException {
         Log.v(TAG, "subscribe(); channel = " + this.name);
         listeners.add(listener);
-        if (options.attachOnSubscribe) {
+        if (attachOnSubscribeEnabled()) {
             attach();
         }
     }
@@ -741,7 +750,7 @@ public synchronized void unsubscribe(MessageListener listener) {
     public synchronized void subscribe(String name, MessageListener listener) throws AblyException {
         Log.v(TAG, "subscribe(); channel = " + this.name + "; event = " + name);
         subscribeImpl(name, listener);
-        if (options.attachOnSubscribe) {
+        if (attachOnSubscribeEnabled()) {
             attach();
         }
     }
@@ -777,7 +786,7 @@ public synchronized void subscribe(String[] names, MessageListener listener) thr
         Log.v(TAG, "subscribe(); channel = " + this.name + "; (multiple events)");
         for(String name : names)
             subscribeImpl(name, listener);
-        if (options.attachOnSubscribe) {
+        if (attachOnSubscribeEnabled()) {
             attach();
         }
     }
diff --git a/lib/src/main/java/io/ably/lib/realtime/Presence.java b/lib/src/main/java/io/ably/lib/realtime/Presence.java
index 0a29ab9ab..cae2ec845 100644
--- a/lib/src/main/java/io/ably/lib/realtime/Presence.java
+++ b/lib/src/main/java/io/ably/lib/realtime/Presence.java
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ public void unsubscribe() {
      * @throws AblyException
      */
     private void implicitAttachOnSubscribe(CompletionListener completionListener) throws AblyException {
-        if (!channel.options.attachOnSubscribe) {
+        if (!channel.attachOnSubscribeEnabled()) {
             completionListener.onSuccess();
             return;
         }