diff --git a/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi/processor.py b/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi/processor.py
index 69a863594..ee37573fd 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi/processor.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi/processor.py
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ class RTVIProcessor(FrameProcessor):
         """Initialize the RTVI processor.
 
         Args:
-            config: Initial RTVI configuration.
             transport: Transport layer for communication.
             **kwargs: Additional arguments passed to parent class.
         """
@@ -66,9 +65,8 @@ class RTVIProcessor(FrameProcessor):
         self._bot_ready = False
         self._client_ready = False
         self._client_ready_id = ""
-        # Default to 0.3.0 which is the last version before actually having a
-        # "client-version".
-        self._client_version = [0, 3, 0]
+        # Default to 0.0.0 to indicate unknown version.
+        self._client_version = [0, 0, 0]
         self._llm_skip_tts: bool = False  # Keep in sync with llm_service.py's configuration.
 
         # A task to process incoming transport messages.
@@ -273,9 +271,6 @@ class RTVIProcessor(FrameProcessor):
                     try:
                         data = RTVI.ClientReadyData.model_validate(message.data)
                     except ValidationError:
-                        # Not all clients have been updated to RTVI 1.0.0.
-                        # For now, that's okay, we just log their info as unknown.
-                        data = None
                         pass
                     await self._handle_client_ready(message.id, data)
                 case "disconnect-bot":
@@ -306,12 +301,23 @@ class RTVIProcessor(FrameProcessor):
         """Handle the client-ready message from the client."""
         version = data.version if data else None
         logger.debug(f"Received client-ready: version {version}")
+        version_error = None
         if version:
             try:
                 self._client_version = [int(v) for v in version.split(".")]
+                protocol_major = int(RTVI.PROTOCOL_VERSION.split(".")[0])
+                if self._client_version[0] != protocol_major:
+                    version_error = f"RTVI version {version} is not compatible with server protocol {RTVI.PROTOCOL_VERSION}."
             except ValueError:
-                logger.warning(f"Invalid client version format: {version}")
+                version_error = f"Invalid client version format ({version})."
+        else:
+            version_error = "Client version unknown."
         about = data.about if data else {"library": "unknown"}
+        if version_error:
+            version_error += " Compatibility issues may occur."
+            logger.warning(version_error)
+            await self._send_error_response(request_id, version_error)
+
         logger.debug(f"Client Details: {about}")
         if self._input_transport:
             await self._input_transport.start_audio_in_streaming()
@@ -413,7 +419,3 @@ class RTVIProcessor(FrameProcessor):
         """Send an error response message."""
         message = RTVI.ErrorResponse(id=id, data=RTVI.ErrorResponseData(error=error))
         await self.push_transport_message(message)
-
-    def _action_id(self, service: str, action: str) -> str:
-        """Generate an action ID from service and action names."""
-        return f"{service}:{action}"