diff --git a/pyghmi/ipmi/command.py b/pyghmi/ipmi/command.py
index 55029b9d..2a734dd9 100644
--- a/pyghmi/ipmi/command.py
+++ b/pyghmi/ipmi/command.py
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ class Command(object):
     def reset_bmc(self):
         """Do a cold reset in BMC"""
         response = self.raw_command(netfn=6, command=2, retry=False)
-        if 'error' in response:
+        if response and 'error' in response:
             raise exc.IpmiException(response['error'])
 
     def set_bootdev(self,