diff --git a/irods/__init__.py b/irods/__init__.py
index 789e4a11..83261196 100644
--- a/irods/__init__.py
+++ b/irods/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import sys
 
 minimum_compatible_python = (3, 6)
+maximum_compatible_server_api = (5, 0, 2, 'd')
 
 if sys.version_info < minimum_compatible_python:
     to_dotted_string = lambda version_tuple: ".".join(str(_) for _ in version_tuple)
diff --git a/irods/message/__init__.py b/irods/message/__init__.py
index 9b8e0ec8..22e50b5d 100644
--- a/irods/message/__init__.py
+++ b/irods/message/__init__.py
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ def ET(xml_type=(), server_version=None):
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-IRODS_VERSION = (5, 0, 2, "d")
+from .. import maximum_compatible_server_api as IRODS_VERSION
 
 UNICODE = str