diff --git a/src/validate.c b/src/validate.c
index 14d347ca..a283593e 100644
--- a/src/validate.c
+++ b/src/validate.c
@@ -53,8 +53,7 @@ pgBackupValidate(pgBackup *backup)
 	int			i;
 
 	/* Check backup version */
-	if (backup->program_version &&
-		parse_program_version(backup->program_version) > parse_program_version(PROGRAM_VERSION))
+	if (parse_program_version(backup->program_version) > parse_program_version(PROGRAM_VERSION))
 		elog(ERROR, "pg_probackup binary version is %s, but backup %s version is %s. "
 			"pg_probackup do not guarantee to be forward compatible. "
 			"Please upgrade pg_probackup binary.",