diff --git a/client/client.go b/client/client.go
index 76a1ac07c0..aeb3237904 100644
--- a/client/client.go
+++ b/client/client.go
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ func NewEnvClient() (*Client, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return cli, err
 	}
-	if version != "" {
+	if os.Getenv("DOCKER_API_VERSION") != "" {
 		cli.manualOverride = true
 	}
 	return cli, nil