diff --git a/patroni/dcs/kubernetes.py b/patroni/dcs/kubernetes.py
index b04f5717..842ec5ea 100644
--- a/patroni/dcs/kubernetes.py
+++ b/patroni/dcs/kubernetes.py
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ class Kubernetes(AbstractDCS):
             leader = nodes.get(self.leader_path)
             metadata = leader and leader.metadata
             self._leader_resource_version = metadata.resource_version if metadata else None
-            self._leader_observed_subsets = leader.subsets if self.__subsets and leader else []
+            self._leader_observed_subsets = leader.subsets if self.__subsets and leader and leader.subsets else []
             annotations = metadata and metadata.annotations or {}
 
             # get last leader operation