diff --git a/plugin/__init__.py b/plugin/__init__.py
index b947a06..ed4c008 100644
--- a/plugin/__init__.py
+++ b/plugin/__init__.py
@@ -13,6 +13,13 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+import aqt
+
+anki_version = tuple(int(segment) for segment in aqt.appVersion.split("."))
+
+if anki_version < (2, 1, 45):
+    raise Exception("Minimum Anki version supported: 2.1.45")
+
 import base64
 import glob
 import hashlib
@@ -27,21 +34,15 @@ import unicodedata
 import anki
 import anki.exporting
 import anki.storage
-import aqt
 from anki.cards import Card
 from anki.consts import MODEL_CLOZE
 from anki.exporting import AnkiPackageExporter
 from anki.importing import AnkiPackageImporter
 from anki.notes import Note
+from anki.errors import NotFoundError
 from aqt.qt import Qt, QTimer, QMessageBox, QCheckBox
 
 from .edit import Edit
-
-try:
-    from anki.rsbackend import NotFoundError
-except:
-    NotFoundError = Exception
-
 from . import web, util
 
 
@@ -50,8 +51,6 @@ from . import web, util
 #
 
 class AnkiConnect:
-    _anki21_version = int(aqt.appVersion.split('.')[-1])
-
     def __init__(self):
         self.log = None
         self.timer = None
@@ -78,11 +77,7 @@ class AnkiConnect:
             )
 
     def save_model(self, models, ankiModel):
-        if self._anki21_version < 45:
-            models.save(ankiModel, True)
-            models.flush()
-        else:
-            models.update_dict(ankiModel)
+        models.update_dict(ankiModel)
 
     def logEvent(self, name, data):
         if self.log is not None:
@@ -541,9 +536,8 @@ class AnkiConnect:
             # however, since 62c23c6816adf912776b9378c008a52bb50b2e8d (2.1.45)
             # passing cardsToo to `rem` (long deprecated) won't raise an error!
             # this is dangerous, so let's raise our own exception
-            if self._anki21_version >= 28:
-                raise Exception("Since Anki 2.1.28 it's not possible "
-                                "to delete decks without deleting cards as well")
+            raise Exception("Since Anki 2.1.28 it's not possible "
+                            "to delete decks without deleting cards as well")
         try:
             self.startEditing()
             decks = filter(lambda d: d in self.deckNames(), decks)
diff --git a/plugin/edit.py b/plugin/edit.py
index 2ae9a89..a8c5ac9 100644
--- a/plugin/edit.py
+++ b/plugin/edit.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ from anki.errors import NotFoundError
 from anki.consts import QUEUE_TYPE_SUSPENDED
 from anki.utils import ids2str
 
+from . import anki_version
+
 
 # Edit dialog. Like Edit Current, but:
 #   * has a Preview button to preview the cards for the note
@@ -25,8 +27,6 @@ from anki.utils import ids2str
 
 DOMAIN_PREFIX = "foosoft.ankiconnect."
 
-anki_version = tuple(int(segment) for segment in aqt.appVersion.split("."))
-
 
 def get_note_by_note_id(note_id):
     return aqt.mw.col.get_note(note_id)
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index cb26734..208abe2 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from _pytest.monkeypatch import MonkeyPatch  # noqa
 from pytest_anki._launch import anki_running, temporary_user  # noqa
 from waitress import wasyncore
 
-from plugin import AnkiConnect
+from plugin import AnkiConnect, anki_version
 from plugin.edit import Edit
 from plugin.util import DEFAULT_CONFIG
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def waitress_patched_to_prevent_it_from_dying():
 @contextmanager
 def anki_patched_to_prevent_backups():
     with MonkeyPatch().context() as monkey:
-        if ac._anki21_version < 50:
+        if anki_version < (2, 1, 50):
             monkey.setitem(aqt.profiles.profileConf, "numBackups", 0)
         else:
             monkey.setattr(anki.collection.Collection, "create_backup",
diff --git a/tests/test_decks.py b/tests/test_decks.py
index 04e6107..c388b03 100755
--- a/tests/test_decks.py
+++ b/tests/test_decks.py
@@ -30,10 +30,6 @@ def test_deleteDeck(setup):
     assert {*before} - {*after} == {"test_deck"}
 
 
-@pytest.mark.skipif(
-    condition=ac._anki21_version < 28,
-    reason=f"Not applicable to Anki < 2.1.28"
-)
 def test_deleteDeck_must_be_called_with_cardsToo_set_to_True_on_later_api(setup):
     with pytest.raises(Exception):
         ac.deleteDecks(decks=["test_deck"])