diff --git a/keras_nlp/backend/config.py b/keras_nlp/backend/config.py
index 9b85907d00..7436012d1c 100644
--- a/keras_nlp/backend/config.py
+++ b/keras_nlp/backend/config.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
     _MULTI_BACKEND = True
 
 # If keras is version 3, use multi-backend keras (our only option).
-_IS_KERAS_3 = version.parse(keras.__version__) >= version.parse("3.0.0")
+_IS_KERAS_3 = version.parse(keras.__version__) >= version.parse("3.0.0.dev0")
 if _IS_KERAS_3:
     _MULTI_BACKEND = True