diff --git a/lib/cancan/model_adapters/active_record_5_adapter.rb b/lib/cancan/model_adapters/active_record_5_adapter.rb
index 68f1142e..048cf624 100644
--- a/lib/cancan/model_adapters/active_record_5_adapter.rb
+++ b/lib/cancan/model_adapters/active_record_5_adapter.rb
@@ -49,11 +49,22 @@ def sanitize_sql_activerecord5(conditions)
       def visit_nodes(node)
         # Rails 5.2 adds a BindParam node that prevents the visitor method from properly compiling the SQL query
         if self.class.version_greater_or_equal?('5.2.0')
-          connection = @model_class.send(:connection)
+          connection = model_connection
           collector = Arel::Collectors::SubstituteBinds.new(connection, Arel::Collectors::SQLString.new)
           connection.visitor.accept(node, collector).value
         else
-          @model_class.send(:connection).visitor.compile(node)
+          model_connection.visitor.compile(node)
+        end
+      end
+
+      # Rails 7.2 soft-deprecated ActiveRecord::Base.connection in favour of
+      # lease_connection, which better describes its lifecycle. Fall back to
+      # connection for Rails < 7.2 where lease_connection is not defined.
+      def model_connection
+        if @model_class.respond_to?(:lease_connection)
+          @model_class.lease_connection
+        else
+          @model_class.send(:connection)
         end
       end
     end