diff --git a/shotgun_api3/shotgun.py b/shotgun_api3/shotgun.py
index a21eb907..ac83813b 100755
--- a/shotgun_api3/shotgun.py
+++ b/shotgun_api3/shotgun.py
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def __init__(self, host, meta):
         self.ensure_json_supported()
 
 
-    def _ensure_support(self, feature):
+    def _ensure_support(self, feature, raise_hell=True):
         """Checks the server version supports a given feature, raises an
         exception if it does not.
 
@@ -147,10 +147,11 @@ def _ensure_support(self, feature):
         """
 
         if not self.version or self.version < feature['version']:
-            raise ShotgunError(
-                "%s requires server version %s or higher, "\
-                "server is %s" % (feature['label'], _version_str(feature['version']), _version_str(self.version))
-            )
+            if raise_hell:
+                raise ShotgunError(
+                    "%s requires server version %s or higher, "\
+                    "server is %s" % (feature['label'], _version_str(feature['version']), _version_str(self.version))
+                )
             return False
         else:
             return True