diff --git a/doublethink/rethinker.py b/doublethink/rethinker.py
index b0135c7..8a517d9 100644
--- a/doublethink/rethinker.py
+++ b/doublethink/rethinker.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import logging
 import random
 import time
 import types
+import re
 
 class RethinkerWrapper(object):
     logger = logging.getLogger('doublethink.RethinkerWrapper')
@@ -66,6 +67,16 @@ class RethinkerWrapper(object):
                     return result
             except r.ReqlTimeoutError as e:
                 time.sleep(0.5)
+            except r.ReqlOpFailedError as e:
+                if e.args and re.match(
+                        '^Cannot perform.*primary replica.*not available.*',
+                        e.args[0]):
+                    self.logger.error(
+                            'will keep trying after potentially recoverable '
+                            'error: %s', e)
+                    time.sleep(0.5)
+                else:
+                    raise
             finally:
                 if not is_iter:
                     conn.close(noreply_wait=False)
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index d740c4d..baf611b 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import codecs
 
 setuptools.setup(
     name='doublethink',
-    version='0.2.0.dev75',
+    version='0.2.0.dev76',
     packages=['doublethink'],
     classifiers=[
         'Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7',