diff --git a/omemo/__init__.py b/omemo/__init__.py
index 3d0a9928223f837984549da319135475225e7ccf..5348572cecc9c56277d1142cdccf874ebec1a7bf 100644
--- a/omemo/__init__.py
+++ b/omemo/__init__.py
@@ -70,13 +70,12 @@ except Exception as e:
 
 try:
     import axolotl
-    if axolotl.__version__ < "0.1.35":
-        ERROR_MSG = AXOLOTL_MISSING
 except Exception as e:
     log.error(e)
     ERROR_MSG = AXOLOTL_MISSING
 
-if gajim.config.get('version') < "0.16.5":
+ver = gajim.config.get('version')
+if ver[0:6] != '0.16.5':
     ERROR_MSG = GAJIM_VERSION
 
 # pylint: disable=no-init