diff --git a/src/modules/module-protocol-native/connection.c b/src/modules/module-protocol-native/connection.c
index 84fad68fd..1807833a4 100644
--- a/src/modules/module-protocol-native/connection.c
+++ b/src/modules/module-protocol-native/connection.c
@@ -72,7 +72,6 @@ struct impl {
 
 	uint32_t version;
 	size_t hdr_size;
-	unsigned int checked:1;
 };
 
 /** \endcond */
@@ -319,7 +318,7 @@ static int prepare_packet(struct pw_protocol_native_connection *conn, struct buf
 	buf->msg.opcode = p[1] >> 24;
 	len = p[1] & 0xffffff;
 
-	if (!impl->checked) {
+	if (buf->msg.id == 0 && buf->msg.opcode == 1) {
 		if (p[3] >= 4) {
 			pw_log_warn("old version detected");
 			impl->version = 0;
@@ -331,7 +330,6 @@ static int prepare_packet(struct pw_protocol_native_connection *conn, struct buf
 		spa_hook_list_call(&conn->listener_list,
 				struct pw_protocol_native_connection_events,
 				start, 0, impl->version);
-		impl->checked = 1;
 	}
 	if (impl->version >= 3) {
 		buf->msg.seq = p[2];