diff --git a/python/nx-cugraph/_nx_cugraph/__init__.py b/python/nx-cugraph/_nx_cugraph/__init__.py
index d18fc53b88c..f58a6e2293b 100644
--- a/python/nx-cugraph/_nx_cugraph/__init__.py
+++ b/python/nx-cugraph/_nx_cugraph/__init__.py
@@ -296,6 +296,27 @@ def get_info():
     return d
 
 
+def _check_networkx_version():
+    import warnings
+
+    import networkx as nx
+
+    version_major, version_minor = nx.__version__.split(".")[:2]
+    if version_major != "3":
+        warnings.warn(
+            f"nx-cugraph version {__version__} is only known to work with networkx "
+            f"versions 3.x, but networkx {nx.__version__} is installed. "
+            "Perhaps try upgrading your Python environment.",
+            UserWarning,
+            stacklevel=2,
+        )
+    if len(version_minor) > 1:
+        raise RuntimeWarning(
+            f"nx-cugraph version {__version__} does not work with networkx version "
+            f"{nx.__version__}. Please upgrade (or fix) your Python environment."
+        )
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     from pathlib import Path
 
diff --git a/python/nx-cugraph/nx_cugraph/__init__.py b/python/nx-cugraph/nx_cugraph/__init__.py
index 7d6a2fbe4c6..542256fa781 100644
--- a/python/nx-cugraph/nx_cugraph/__init__.py
+++ b/python/nx-cugraph/nx_cugraph/__init__.py
@@ -33,3 +33,6 @@
 from .algorithms import *
 
 from _nx_cugraph._version import __git_commit__, __version__
+from _nx_cugraph import _check_networkx_version
+
+_check_networkx_version()