diff --git a/ably/realtime/channel.py b/ably/realtime/channel.py
index 768eeb7d..4f95624e 100644
--- a/ably/realtime/channel.py
+++ b/ably/realtime/channel.py
@@ -128,13 +128,14 @@ async def attach(self) -> None:
         self.__error_reason = None
 
         # RTL4b
-        if self.__realtime.connection.state not in [
+        connection_state = self.__realtime.connection.state
+        if connection_state not in [
             ConnectionState.CONNECTING,
             ConnectionState.CONNECTED,
             ConnectionState.DISCONNECTED
         ]:
             raise AblyException(
-                message=f"Unable to attach; channel state = {self.state}",
+                message=f"Unable to attach channel; connection state = {connection_state}",
                 code=90001,
                 status_code=400
             )