diff --git a/awxkit/setup.py b/awxkit/setup.py
index c185e519d1..cca55490d6 100644
--- a/awxkit/setup.py
+++ b/awxkit/setup.py
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ def use_scm_version():
 
 
 def get_version_from_file():
-    if vf := version_file():
+    vf = version_file()
+    if vf:
         with open(vf, 'r') as file:
             return file.read().strip()
 
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 62ea103e33..624e1aa815 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ def use_scm_version():
 
 
 def get_version_from_file():
-    if vf := version_file():
+    vf = version_file()
+    if vf:
         with open(vf, 'r') as file:
             return file.read().strip()