diff --git a/sentry_sdk/integrations/opentelemetry/sampler.py b/sentry_sdk/integrations/opentelemetry/sampler.py
index b5c500b3f3..e4c17a4aab 100644
--- a/sentry_sdk/integrations/opentelemetry/sampler.py
+++ b/sentry_sdk/integrations/opentelemetry/sampler.py
@@ -68,10 +68,11 @@ def dropped_result(parent_span_context, attributes, sample_rate=None):
         else:
             reason = "sample_rate"
 
-        client.transport.record_lost_event(reason, data_category="transaction")
+        if client.transport and has_tracing_enabled(client.options):
+            client.transport.record_lost_event(reason, data_category="transaction")
 
-        # Only one span (the transaction itself) is discarded, since we did not record any spans here.
-        client.transport.record_lost_event(reason, data_category="span")
+            # Only one span (the transaction itself) is discarded, since we did not record any spans here.
+            client.transport.record_lost_event(reason, data_category="span")
 
     return SamplingResult(
         Decision.DROP,