diff --git a/telethon/telegram_client.py b/telethon/telegram_client.py
index a55352fe..6345ebb2 100644
--- a/telethon/telegram_client.py
+++ b/telethon/telegram_client.py
@@ -2505,7 +2505,11 @@ class TelegramClient(TelegramBareClient):
         for builder, callback in self._event_builders:
             event = builder.build(update)
             if event:
-                event._set_client(self)
+                if hasattr(event, '_set_client'):
+                    event._set_client(self)
+                else:
+                    event._client = self
+
                 event.original_update = update
                 try:
                     callback(event)