diff --git a/depmod.c b/depmod.c
index abfb11e..853b52b 100644
--- a/depmod.c
+++ b/depmod.c
@@ -245,9 +245,16 @@ static const struct option options[] = { { "all", 0, NULL, 'a' },
 /* Version number or module name?  Don't assume extension. */
 static int is_version_number(const char *version)
 {
-	unsigned int dummy;
+	int ret;
+	unsigned int major, dummy;
 
-	return (sscanf(version, "%u.%u.%u", &dummy, &dummy, &dummy) == 3);
+	ret = sscanf(version, "%u.%u", &major, &dummy);
+	if ((major == 3) && (ret == 2))
+		return 1;
+
+	ret = sscanf(version, "%u.%u.%u", &dummy, &dummy, &dummy);
+
+	return (ret == 3);
 }
 
 static int old_module_version(const char *version)