diff --git a/core/core.el b/core/core.el
index d9c27eaa7..1e1099663 100644
--- a/core/core.el
+++ b/core/core.el
@@ -191,8 +191,9 @@ users).")
 ;; least a little more discerning.
 (setq gnutls-verify-error (not (getenv "INSECURE"))
       gnutls-algorithm-priority
-      (let ((support-tls1.3 (if (>= libgnutls-version 30605) ":+VERS-TLS1.3" nil)))
-        (concat "SECURE128:+SECURE192:-VERS-ALL:+VERS-TLS1.2" support-tls1.3))
+      (concat "SECURE128:+SECURE192:-VERS-ALL:+VERS-TLS1.2"
+              (if (ignore-errors (>= libgnutls-version 30605))
+                ":+VERS-TLS1.3"))
       ;; `gnutls-min-prime-bits' is set based on recommendations from
       ;; https://www.keylength.com/en/4/
       gnutls-min-prime-bits 3072