diff --git a/lib/redis/client.rb b/lib/redis/client.rb
index f108cbac0..26597ba45 100644
--- a/lib/redis/client.rb
+++ b/lib/redis/client.rb
@@ -293,7 +293,24 @@ def ensure_connected
       end
     end
 
+    # convert all keys to symbols, returning new hash
+    # inspired by activesupport
+    def symbolize_keys(hash)
+      keys = hash.keys
+      ret = {}
+      keys.each do |key|
+        v = hash[key]
+        if v.is_a?(Hash)
+          v = symbolize_keys(v)
+        end
+        ret[(key.to_sym rescue key) || key] = v
+      end
+      ret
+    end
+
+
     def _parse_options(options)
+      options = symbolize_keys(options)
       defaults = DEFAULTS.dup
 
       url = options[:url] || ENV["REDIS_URL"]
diff --git a/test/internals_test.rb b/test/internals_test.rb
index 64999874f..22e87323d 100644
--- a/test/internals_test.rb
+++ b/test/internals_test.rb
@@ -67,11 +67,38 @@ def test_redis_current
     assert_equal 1, Redis.current.client.db
   end
 
+  def test_redis_current_string_opts
+    # set in test above
+    assert_equal "127.0.0.1", Redis.current.client.host
+    assert_equal 6380, Redis.current.client.port
+    assert_equal 1, Redis.current.client.db
+
+    Redis.current = Redis.new(OPTIONS.merge("port" => 6382, "db" => 2))
+
+    t = Thread.new do
+      assert_equal "127.0.0.1", Redis.current.client.host
+      assert_equal 6382, Redis.current.client.port
+      assert_equal 2, Redis.current.client.db
+    end
+
+    t.join
+
+    assert_equal "127.0.0.1", Redis.current.client.host
+    assert_equal 6382, Redis.current.client.port
+    assert_equal 2, Redis.current.client.db
+  end
+
+
   def test_default_id_with_host_and_port
     redis = Redis.new(OPTIONS.merge(:host => "host", :port => "1234", :db => 0))
     assert_equal "redis://host:1234/0", redis.client.id
   end
 
+  def test_default_id_with_host_and_port_string_opts
+    redis = Redis.new(OPTIONS.merge("host" => "host2", "port" => "1235", "db" => 1))
+    assert_equal "redis://host2:1235/1", redis.client.id
+  end
+
   def test_default_id_with_host_and_port_and_explicit_scheme
     redis = Redis.new(OPTIONS.merge(:host => "host", :port => "1234", :db => 0, :scheme => "foo"))
     assert_equal "redis://host:1234/0", redis.client.id
diff --git a/test/url_param_test.rb b/test/url_param_test.rb
index 5784338ab..2c395b933 100644
--- a/test/url_param_test.rb
+++ b/test/url_param_test.rb
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ def test_url_defaults_to_______________
   end
 
   def test_allows_to_pass_in_a_url
-    redis = Redis.new :url => "redis://:secr3t@foo.com:999/2"
+    redis = Redis.new "url" => "redis://:secr3t@foo.com:999/2"
 
     assert_equal "foo.com", redis.client.host
     assert_equal 999, redis.client.port