diff --git a/lib/will_paginate/railtie.rb b/lib/will_paginate/railtie.rb
index 99ddbbd05..9144c00c6 100644
--- a/lib/will_paginate/railtie.rb
+++ b/lib/will_paginate/railtie.rb
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ module ShowExceptionsPatch
       end
       def status_code_with_paginate(exception = @exception)
         actual_exception = if exception.respond_to?(:cause)
-          exception.cause
+          exception.cause || exception
         elsif exception.respond_to?(:original_exception)
           exception.original_exception
         else