diff --git a/redis/__init__.py b/redis/__init__.py
index 3ab697065e..b8850add15 100644
--- a/redis/__init__.py
+++ b/redis/__init__.py
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def int_or_str(value):
 try:
     VERSION = tuple(map(int_or_str, __version__.split(".")))
 except AttributeError:
-    VERSION = tuple(99, 99, 99)
+    VERSION = tuple([99, 99, 99])
 
 __all__ = [
     "AuthenticationError",