diff --git a/android/app/src/main/java/nl/eddydevink/sylda/BleRelayManager.kt b/android/app/src/main/java/nl/eddydevink/sylda/BleRelayManager.kt
index 9ec1740..a004c34 100644
--- a/android/app/src/main/java/nl/eddydevink/sylda/BleRelayManager.kt
+++ b/android/app/src/main/java/nl/eddydevink/sylda/BleRelayManager.kt
@@ -286,8 +286,13 @@ class BleRelayManager(
                     val service = gatt.getService(SERVICE_UUID)
                     val versionChar = service?.getCharacteristic(VERSION_UUID)
                     if (versionChar != null) {
-                        gatt.readCharacteristic(versionChar)
+                        val ok = gatt.readCharacteristic(versionChar)
+                        if (!ok) {
+                            Log.w(TAG, "readCharacteristic(VERSION) returned false, skipping version check")
+                            handler.post { callbacks.onStatusChanged(BleStatus.Connected) }
+                        }
                     } else {
+                        Log.d(TAG, "VERSION characteristic not found, skipping version check")
                         handler.post { callbacks.onStatusChanged(BleStatus.Connected) }
                     }
                 } else {
@@ -302,6 +307,9 @@ class BleRelayManager(
                 Log.d(TAG, "ESP firmware version: $version, app bundled: $appVersion")
                 handler.post { callbacks.onFirmwareVersion(version, appVersion) }
                 handler.post { callbacks.onStatusChanged(BleStatus.Connected) }
+            } else if (characteristic.uuid == VERSION_UUID) {
+                Log.w(TAG, "Version read failed (status=$status), using Connected anyway")
+                handler.post { callbacks.onStatusChanged(BleStatus.Connected) }
             }
         }