diff --git a/src/wled/models.py b/src/wled/models.py
index 0080ff7d..eab0c7e4 100644
--- a/src/wled/models.py
+++ b/src/wled/models.py
@@ -730,13 +730,20 @@ class Device(BaseModel):
     @classmethod
     def __pre_deserialize__(cls, d: dict[Any, Any]) -> dict[Any, Any]:
         """Pre deserialize hook for Device object."""
-        if (version := d.get("info", {}).get("ver")) and version < MIN_REQUIRED_VERSION:
-            msg = (
-                f"Unsupported firmware version {version}. "
-                f"Minimum required version is {MIN_REQUIRED_VERSION}. "
-                f"Please update your WLED device."
+        if version_str := d.get("info", {}).get("ver"):
+            version = get_awesome_version(version_str)
+            # Compare base version (major.minor.patch) to allow pre-release
+            # builds (e.g. 0.14.0-b1) of the minimum required version.
+            base = get_awesome_version(
+                f"{version.major}.{version.minor}.{version.patch}"
             )
-            raise WLEDUnsupportedVersionError(msg)
+            if base < MIN_REQUIRED_VERSION:
+                msg = (
+                    f"Unsupported firmware version {version_str}. "
+                    f"Minimum required version is {MIN_REQUIRED_VERSION}. "
+                    f"Please update your WLED device."
+                )
+                raise WLEDUnsupportedVersionError(msg)
 
         if _effects := d.get("effects"):
             d["effects"] = {
diff --git a/tests/test_models.py b/tests/test_models.py
index 212befab..09fe906a 100644
--- a/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/tests/test_models.py
@@ -625,6 +625,22 @@ def test_device_unsupported_version() -> None:
         Device.from_dict(data)
 
 
+def test_device_beta_of_minimum_version_allowed() -> None:
+    """Test that a beta of the minimum required version is accepted."""
+    data = full_device_data()
+    data["info"]["ver"] = "0.14.0-b1"
+    device = Device.from_dict(data)
+    assert device.info.version is not None
+
+
+def test_device_beta_below_minimum_version_rejected() -> None:
+    """Test that a beta below the minimum required version is rejected."""
+    data = full_device_data()
+    data["info"]["ver"] = "0.13.0-b1"
+    with pytest.raises(WLEDUnsupportedVersionError):
+        Device.from_dict(data)
+
+
 def test_device_null_palettes() -> None:
     """Test that None palettes results in empty dict."""
     data = full_device_data()