diff --git a/src/Connection.php b/src/Connection.php
index a859bfa63..3f529cdea 100644
--- a/src/Connection.php
+++ b/src/Connection.php
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ private static function lookupVersion(): string
             try {
                 return self::$version = InstalledVersions::getPrettyVersion('mongodb/laravel-mongodb');
             } catch (Throwable) {
-                // Ignore exceptions and return unknown version
+                return self::$version = 'error';
             }
         }