diff --git a/lib/Cake/Model/Datasource/CakeSession.php b/lib/Cake/Model/Datasource/CakeSession.php
index 2afbcc0c3..3ef115056 100644
--- a/lib/Cake/Model/Datasource/CakeSession.php
+++ b/lib/Cake/Model/Datasource/CakeSession.php
@@ -218,7 +218,10 @@ class CakeSession {
  * @return bool True if session has been started.
  */
 	public static function started() {
-		return (session_status() === PHP_SESSION_ACTIVE);
+		if(PHP_VERSION >=5.4) {
+			return (session_status() === PHP_SESSION_ACTIVE);
+		}
+		return isset($_SESSION) && session_id();
 	}
 
 /**