diff --git a/pitivi/check.py b/pitivi/check.py
index 0be86d9..168fcf8 100644
--- a/pitivi/check.py
+++ b/pitivi/check.py
@@ -168,6 +168,12 @@ class GstPluginDependency(Dependency):
 class GstDependency(GIDependency):
 
     def _format_version(self, module):
+        try:
+            from gi.repository import Gst
+        except ImportError:
+            return None
+        Gst.init(None)
+
         return list(module.version())
 
 
