diff --git a/ansible_testing/modules.py b/ansible_testing/modules.py
index 086c5f5bd0..721d4e1364 100644
--- a/ansible_testing/modules.py
+++ b/ansible_testing/modules.py
@@ -423,8 +423,6 @@ class ModuleValidator(Validator):
         if self._is_new_module():
             return
 
-        mod_version_added = StrictVersion(str(doc.get('version_added', '0.0')))
-
         with CaptureStd():
             try:
                 existing = module_loader.find_plugin(self.name, mod_type='.py')
@@ -441,6 +439,14 @@ class ModuleValidator(Validator):
                                    'TRACE')
                 return
 
+
+        try:
+            mod_version_added = StrictVersion(
+                str(existing_doc.get('version_added', '0.0'))
+            )
+        except ValueError:
+            mod_version_added = StrictVersion('0.0')
+
         options = doc.get('options', {})
 
         should_be = '.'.join(ansible_version.split('.')[:2])