diff --git a/nipype/__init__.py b/nipype/__init__.py
index bf6968a95a..06084e823a 100644
--- a/nipype/__init__.py
+++ b/nipype/__init__.py
@@ -98,4 +98,4 @@ def check_latest_version(raise_exception=False):
         from .interfaces.base import BaseInterface
 
         if BaseInterface._etelemetry_version_data is None:
-            BaseInterface._etelemetry_version_data = check_latest_version()
+            BaseInterface._etelemetry_version_data = check_latest_version() or "n/a"
diff --git a/nipype/interfaces/base/core.py b/nipype/interfaces/base/core.py
index 69d621bbc1..c8099be630 100644
--- a/nipype/interfaces/base/core.py
+++ b/nipype/interfaces/base/core.py
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ def __init__(
             from ... import check_latest_version
 
             if BaseInterface._etelemetry_version_data is None:
-                BaseInterface._etelemetry_version_data = check_latest_version()
+                BaseInterface._etelemetry_version_data = check_latest_version() or "n/a"
 
         if not self.input_spec:
             raise Exception("No input_spec in class: %s" % self.__class__.__name__)