@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ def method_missing(symbol, *args)
         if args.length != 0
           by = symbol
         else
-          raise ArgumentError, "Attribute #{symbol.to_s} is not defined!"
+          raise ArgumentError, "Attribute #{symbol.to_s} is not defined!" unless auto_vivifiy_on_read
         end
       end
 
 
@@ -462,6 +462,13 @@
       @attributes.reset
       @attributes.music.mastodon.should == [ "dream", "still", "shining" ]
     end
+
+    it "should honor auto-vivifiy on read" do
+      @attributes.auto_vivifiy_on_read = true
+      @attributes.rock.and.roll = "boom boom yeah"
+      @attributes.reset
+      @attributes.rock.and.roll.should == "boom boom yeah"
+    end
   end
 
   describe "keys" do