diff --git a/pynestml/codegeneration/nest_tools.py b/pynestml/codegeneration/nest_tools.py
index 81bb6b0f4..b38336932 100644
--- a/pynestml/codegeneration/nest_tools.py
+++ b/pynestml/codegeneration/nest_tools.py
@@ -48,11 +48,13 @@ def detect_nest_version(cls) -> str:
 try:
     import nest
 
-    vt = nest.Create("volume_transmitter")
-
-    nest_version = "v" + nest.__version__
-    if "post0.dev0" in nest_version:
-        nest_version = "master"
+    try:
+        if "DataConnect" in dir(nest):
+            nest_version = "v2.20.2"
+        else:
+            nest_version = "v" + nest.__version__
+    except:
+        pass
 
 except ModuleNotFoundError:
     nest_version = ""