diff --git a/lib/rubygems/specification.rb b/lib/rubygems/specification.rb
index e1af1dfd0114..a9f192e3a7d1 100644
--- a/lib/rubygems/specification.rb
+++ b/lib/rubygems/specification.rb
@@ -2414,7 +2414,10 @@ def test_files # :nodoc:
   # still have their default values are omitted.
 
   def to_ruby
-    require 'openssl'
+    begin
+      require 'openssl'
+    rescue LoadError
+    end
     mark_version
     result = []
     result << "# -*- encoding: utf-8 -*-"
@@ -2454,7 +2457,9 @@ def to_ruby
       next if handled.include? attr_name
       current_value = self.send(attr_name)
       if current_value != default_value(attr_name) || self.class.required_attribute?(attr_name)
-        result << "  s.#{attr_name} = #{ruby_code current_value}" unless current_value.is_a?(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA)
+        unless defined?(OpenSSL) && current_value.is_a?(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA)
+          result << "  s.#{attr_name} = #{ruby_code current_value}"
+        end
       end
     end