diff --git a/AUTHORS.rst b/AUTHORS.rst
index b6eca00d..6bff3be3 100644
--- a/AUTHORS.rst
+++ b/AUTHORS.rst
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ Contributors
 * David Johansen <davejohansen@gmail.com>
 * JP Hutchins <jphutchins@gmail.com>
 * Bram Duvigneau <bram@bramd.nl>
+* Peter-Newman Messan <p.newmwn.messan@gmail.com>
 
 Sponsors
 --------
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index 9c360d48..fa6ebbe8 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ Changed
 * Don't change ctypes' global state ``bleak.backends.winrt.util``.
 * Improved performance of BlueZ backend when there are many adapters.
 * Added support for Python 3.13.
+* Fixed uninitialized bus connection when pairing before connection on BlueZ backend.
 
 `0.22.2`_ (2024-06-01)
 ======================
diff --git a/bleak/backends/bluezdbus/client.py b/bleak/backends/bluezdbus/client.py
index ec225584..54c7f1f5 100644
--- a/bleak/backends/bluezdbus/client.py
+++ b/bleak/backends/bluezdbus/client.py
@@ -436,6 +436,11 @@ async def pair(self, *args, **kwargs) -> bool:
             Boolean regarding success of pairing.
 
         """
+        if self._bus is None:
+            self._bus = await MessageBus(
+                bus_type=BusType.SYSTEM, negotiate_unix_fd=True
+            ).connect()
+
         # See if it is already paired.
         reply = await self._bus.call(
             Message(