diff --git a/awslimitchecker/services/elasticache.py b/awslimitchecker/services/elasticache.py
index 634f7586..1e7807b4 100644
--- a/awslimitchecker/services/elasticache.py
+++ b/awslimitchecker/services/elasticache.py
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 
 import abc  # noqa
 from boto.elasticache.layer1 import ElastiCacheConnection
+from boto.exception import BotoServerError
 import logging
 
 from .base import _AwsService
@@ -121,10 +122,22 @@ def _find_usage_parameter_groups(self):
 
     def _find_usage_security_groups(self):
         """find usage for elasticache security groups"""
-        groups = self.conn.describe_cache_security_groups()[
-            'DescribeCacheSecurityGroupsResponse'][
-            'DescribeCacheSecurityGroupsResult'][
-            'CacheSecurityGroups']
+        try:
+            # If EC2-Classic isn't available (e.g., a new account)
+            # this method will fail with:
+            #   Code:    "InvalidParameterValue"
+            #   Message: "Use of cache security groups is not permitted in
+            #             this API version for your account."
+            #   Type:    "Sender"
+            groups = self.conn.describe_cache_security_groups()[
+                'DescribeCacheSecurityGroupsResponse'][
+                'DescribeCacheSecurityGroupsResult'][
+                'CacheSecurityGroups']
+        except BotoServerError:
+            logger.debug("caught BotoServerError checking ElastiCache security "
+                         "groups (account without EC2-Classic?)")
+            groups = []
+
         self.limits['Security Groups']._add_current_usage(
             len(groups),
             aws_type='WS::ElastiCache::SecurityGroup'
diff --git a/awslimitchecker/tests/services/test_elasticache.py b/awslimitchecker/tests/services/test_elasticache.py
index 2a6f373b..218b57de 100644
--- a/awslimitchecker/tests/services/test_elasticache.py
+++ b/awslimitchecker/tests/services/test_elasticache.py
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@
 """
 
 import sys
-# TODO confirm this is the correct import
 from boto.elasticache.layer1 import ElastiCacheConnection
+from boto.exception import BotoServerError
 from awslimitchecker.services.elasticache import _ElastiCacheService
 
 # https://code.google.com/p/mock/issues/detail?id=249
@@ -469,6 +469,25 @@ def test_find_usage_security_groups(self):
         assert len(usage) == 1
         assert usage[0].get_value() == 2
 
+    def test_find_usage_security_groups_exception(self):
+        """test find usage for security groups"""
+        def se_exc():
+            raise BotoServerError(None, None, None)
+
+        mock_conn = Mock(spec_set=ElastiCacheConnection)
+        mock_conn.describe_cache_security_groups.side_effect = se_exc
+        cls = _ElastiCacheService(21, 43)
+        cls.conn = mock_conn
+        cls._find_usage_security_groups()
+
+        assert mock_conn.mock_calls == [
+            call.describe_cache_security_groups(),
+        ]
+
+        usage = cls.limits['Security Groups'].get_current_usage()
+        assert len(usage) == 1
+        assert usage[0].get_value() == 0
+
     def test_required_iam_permissions(self):
         cls = _ElastiCacheService(21, 43)
         assert cls.required_iam_permissions() == [