diff --git a/plugins/plugins.cpp b/plugins/plugins.cpp
index 220c887..71a872d 100644
--- a/plugins/plugins.cpp
+++ b/plugins/plugins.cpp
@@ -1069,18 +1069,17 @@ struct StaticPluginLoader {
             return;
         }
 
-        std::string version = "0.0.0";
-        json_t* versionJ = json_object_get(rootJ, "version");
-        if (versionJ)
+        std::string version;
+        if (json_t* const versionJ = json_object_get(rootJ, "version"))
             version = json_string_value(versionJ);
 
         if (!string::startsWith(version, APP_VERSION_MAJOR + "."))
+        {
             // force ABI, we use static plugins so this doesnt matter as long as it builds
-            version = version.replace(0, 1, APP_VERSION_MAJOR).c_str();
-
-        json_t* json_version = json_string(version.c_str());
-        json_object_set(rootJ, "version", json_version);
-        json_decref(json_version);
+            json_t* json_version = json_string((APP_VERSION_MAJOR + ".0").c_str());
+            json_object_set(rootJ, "version", json_version);
+            json_decref(json_version);
+        }
 
         // Load manifest
         p->fromJson(rootJ);