diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/messages.py b/test/functional/test_framework/messages.py
index a18a9ec1090..5a9736a7a3e 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/messages.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/messages.py
@@ -1045,13 +1045,11 @@ class msg_version:
 
         self.nStartingHeight = struct.unpack("<i", f.read(4))[0]
 
-        if self.nVersion >= 70001:
-            # Relay field is optional for version 70001 onwards
-            try:
-                self.relay = struct.unpack("<b", f.read(1))[0]
-            except:
-                self.relay = 0
-        else:
+        # Relay field is optional for version 70001 onwards
+        # But, unconditionally check it to match behaviour in bitcoind
+        try:
+            self.relay = struct.unpack("<b", f.read(1))[0]
+        except struct.error:
             self.relay = 0
 
     def serialize(self):