diff --git a/python/pyarrow/array.pyx b/python/pyarrow/array.pyx
index 88770cdaa966e..155c965f3e8aa 100644
--- a/python/pyarrow/array.pyx
+++ b/python/pyarrow/array.pyx
@@ -67,7 +67,10 @@ cdef class Array:
         return '{0}\n{1}'.format(type_format, values)
 
     def __len__(self):
-        return self.sp_array.get().length()
+        if self.sp_array.get():
+            return self.sp_array.get().length()
+        else:
+            return 0
 
     def isnull(self):
         raise NotImplemented
diff --git a/python/pyarrow/tests/test_array.py b/python/pyarrow/tests/test_array.py
index 36aaaa4f93d5d..d608f8167df65 100644
--- a/python/pyarrow/tests/test_array.py
+++ b/python/pyarrow/tests/test_array.py
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@
 
 class TestArrayAPI(unittest.TestCase):
 
+    def test_repr_on_pre_init_array(self):
+        arr = pyarrow.array.Array()
+        assert len(repr(arr)) > 0
+
     def test_getitem_NA(self):
         arr = pyarrow.from_pylist([1, None, 2])
         assert arr[1] is pyarrow.NA