diff --git a/renku/ui/service/controllers/version.py b/renku/ui/service/controllers/version.py
index f33e437ed7..f7f699e523 100644
--- a/renku/ui/service/controllers/version.py
+++ b/renku/ui/service/controllers/version.py
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 """Renku service version controller."""
+import os
+
 from renku import __version__
 from renku.core.migration.migrate import SUPPORTED_PROJECT_VERSION
 from renku.ui.service.controllers.api.abstract import ServiceCtrl
@@ -33,6 +35,7 @@ def to_response(self, minimum_version, maximum_version):
             {
                 "latest_version": __version__,
                 "supported_project_version": SUPPORTED_PROJECT_VERSION,
+                "cli_version": os.environ.get("RENKU_PROJECT_DEFAULT_CLI_VERSION") or __version__,
                 "minimum_api_version": minimum_version.name,
                 "maximum_api_version": maximum_version.name,
             },