diff --git a/lib/attr_encrypted.rb b/lib/attr_encrypted.rb
index 3895b721..f743000a 100644
--- a/lib/attr_encrypted.rb
+++ b/lib/attr_encrypted.rb
@@ -158,12 +158,11 @@ def attr_encrypted(*attributes)
       end
 
       define_method(attribute) do
-        instance_variable_get("@#{attribute}") || instance_variable_set("@#{attribute}", decrypt(attribute, send(encrypted_attribute_name)))
+        read_encrypted_attribute(attribute)
       end
 
       define_method("#{attribute}=") do |value|
-        send("#{encrypted_attribute_name}=", encrypt(attribute, value))
-        instance_variable_set("@#{attribute}", value)
+        write_encrypted_attribute(attribute, value)
       end
 
       define_method("#{attribute}?") do
@@ -395,6 +394,17 @@ def evaluate_attr_encrypted_option(option)
         end
       end
 
+      def read_encrypted_attribute(attribute)
+        encrypted_attribute_name = encrypted_attributes[attribute.to_sym][:attribute]
+        instance_variable_get("@#{attribute}") || instance_variable_set("@#{attribute}", decrypt(attribute, send(encrypted_attribute_name)))
+      end
+
+      def write_encrypted_attribute(attribute, value)
+        encrypted_attribute_name = encrypted_attributes[attribute.to_sym][:attribute]
+        send("#{encrypted_attribute_name}=", encrypt(attribute, value))
+        instance_variable_set("@#{attribute}", value)
+      end
+
       def load_iv_for_attribute(attribute, options)
         encrypted_attribute_name = options[:attribute]
         encode_iv = options[:encode_iv]
diff --git a/lib/attr_encrypted/adapters/active_record.rb b/lib/attr_encrypted/adapters/active_record.rb
index a22108e4..deae2981 100644
--- a/lib/attr_encrypted/adapters/active_record.rb
+++ b/lib/attr_encrypted/adapters/active_record.rb
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ module Adapters
       module ActiveRecord
         def self.extended(base) # :nodoc:
           base.class_eval do
+            include InstanceMethods
 
             # https://github.com/attr-encrypted/attr_encrypted/issues/68
             alias_method :reload_without_attr_encrypted, :reload
@@ -130,6 +131,19 @@ def method_missing_with_attr_encrypted(method, *args, &block)
             end
             method_missing_without_attr_encrypted(method, *args, &block)
           end
+
+          module InstanceMethods
+            def read_encrypted_attribute(attribute)
+              encrypted_attribute_name = encrypted_attributes[attribute.to_sym][:attribute].to_s
+
+              # If the class does have the encrypted attribute, but this record doesn't (partial SELECT),
+              # return early as fetching the encrypted attribute will fail
+              return if self.class.column_names.include?(encrypted_attribute_name) &&
+                !attributes.include?(encrypted_attribute_name)
+
+              super
+            end
+          end
       end
     end
   end
diff --git a/test/active_record_test.rb b/test/active_record_test.rb
index 89134548..df059cac 100644
--- a/test/active_record_test.rb
+++ b/test/active_record_test.rb
@@ -335,4 +335,9 @@ def test_should_evaluate_proc_based_mode
     refute_equal address.encrypted_zipcode, zipcode
     assert_equal address.zipcode, zipcode
   end
+
+  def test_should_read_attribute_without_encrypted_column_present
+    address = Address.create!(street: '123 Elm')
+    assert_nil Address.where(id: address.id).select(:id).first.street
+  end
 end