diff --git a/irods/pool.py b/irods/pool.py
index a399be6c..12b6f7f6 100644
--- a/irods/pool.py
+++ b/irods/pool.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def _conn(self, conn_):
     def get_connection(self):
         new_conn = False
         with self._lock:
-            try:
+            if self.idle:
                 conn = self.idle.pop()
 
                 curr_time = datetime.datetime.now()
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ def get_connection(self):
                     conn = Connection(self, self.account)
                     new_conn = True
                     logger.debug(f"Created new connection with id: {id(conn)}")
-            except KeyError:
+            else:
                 conn = Connection(self, self.account)
                 new_conn = True
                 logger.debug(f"No connection found in idle set. Created a new connection with id: {id(conn)}")