diff --git a/lib/rubygems/version.rb b/lib/rubygems/version.rb
index 20663326ef4b..28883de40862 100644
--- a/lib/rubygems/version.rb
+++ b/lib/rubygems/version.rb
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ def self.create input
   @@all = {}
 
   def self.new version # :nodoc:
-    return super unless Gem::VERSION == self.class
+    return super unless Gem::Version == self
 
     @@all[version] ||= super
   end