diff --git a/lib/closure_tree/support_flags.rb b/lib/closure_tree/support_flags.rb
index 043e785f..2819d324 100644
--- a/lib/closure_tree/support_flags.rb
+++ b/lib/closure_tree/support_flags.rb
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ def order_option?
     end
 
     def order_is_numeric?
-      # skip if database is not connected.
-      return false unless ::ActiveRecord::Base.connected?
+      # connect to database if it is not connected.
+      ::ActiveRecord::Base.connection unless ::ActiveRecord::Base.connected?
 
       # The table might not exist yet (in the case of ActiveRecord::Observer use, see issue 32)
       return false if !order_option? || !model_class.table_exists?