diff --git a/SUAppcastItem.m b/SUAppcastItem.m
index 576805579..d2e9812b9 100644
--- a/SUAppcastItem.m
+++ b/SUAppcastItem.m
@@ -212,6 +212,9 @@ - (BOOL)isDeltaUpdate
 		[self setMinimumSystemVersion: [dict objectForKey:@"sparkle:minimumSystemVersion"]];
 		
 		NSString *shortVersionString = [enclosure objectForKey:@"sparkle:shortVersionString"];
+        if (nil == shortVersionString)
+            shortVersionString = [dict objectForKey:@"sparkle:shortVersionString"]; // fall back on the <item>
+        
 		if (shortVersionString)
 			[self setDisplayVersionString: shortVersionString];
 		else