diff --git a/python/damask/_result.py b/python/damask/_result.py
index 3f4ca735c..66cc39785 100644
--- a/python/damask/_result.py
+++ b/python/damask/_result.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from . import grid_filters
 from . import mechanics
 from . import util
 
+h5py3 = h5py.__version__[0] == '3'
 
 class Result:
     """