diff --git a/gateway/src/node/client_handling/websocket/connection_handler/fresh.rs b/gateway/src/node/client_handling/websocket/connection_handler/fresh.rs
index 7547250dd1..d9a969f523 100644
--- a/gateway/src/node/client_handling/websocket/connection_handler/fresh.rs
+++ b/gateway/src/node/client_handling/websocket/connection_handler/fresh.rs
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ impl<R, S> FreshHandler<R, S> {
             Err(incompatible_err)
         } else {
             debug!("the client is using exactly the same (or older) protocol version as we are. We're good to continue!");
-            Ok(CURRENT_PROTOCOL_VERSION)
+            Ok(client_protocol_version)
         }
     }