diff --git a/mongoengine/queryset/transform.py b/mongoengine/queryset/transform.py
index 4ff38769..e7f5988c 100644
--- a/mongoengine/queryset/transform.py
+++ b/mongoengine/queryset/transform.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from mongoengine.base.fields import UPDATE_OPERATORS
 from mongoengine.connection import get_connection
 from mongoengine.common import _import_class
 from mongoengine.errors import InvalidQueryError
+from mongoengine.python_support import IS_PYMONGO_3
 
 __all__ = ('query', 'update')
 
@@ -135,11 +136,12 @@ def query(_doc_cls=None, _field_operation=False, **query):
                         if k == '$maxDistance' or k == '$minDistance':
                             continue
                         value_son[k] = v
-                    # seems only required for 2.6=<MongoDB<3
+                    # Required for MongoDB >= 2.6, may fail when combining
+                    # PyMongo 3+ and MongoDB < 2.6
                     near_embedded = False
                     for near_op in ('$near', '$nearSphere'):
-                        if isinstance(value_dict.get(near_op), dict) and \
-                                get_connection().max_wire_version > 1:
+                        if isinstance(value_dict.get(near_op), dict) and (
+                                IS_PYMONGO_3 or get_connection().max_wire_version > 1):
                             value_son[near_op] = SON(value_son[near_op])
                             if '$maxDistance' in value_dict:
                                 value_son[near_op][