diff --git a/changelogs/fragments/1469-fix-old-apis.yml b/changelogs/fragments/1469-fix-old-apis.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cf409501
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/fragments/1469-fix-old-apis.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+minor_changes:
+  - Fix broken code path when using old api path on old netbox systems
diff --git a/plugins/inventory/nb_inventory.py b/plugins/inventory/nb_inventory.py
index b6ee2fa1..dd9d7dca 100644
--- a/plugins/inventory/nb_inventory.py
+++ b/plugins/inventory/nb_inventory.py
@@ -1648,10 +1648,10 @@ def fetch_api_docs(self):
                 pass
 
         self.api_version = version.parse(netbox_api_version)
+        parsed_endpoint_url = urlparse(self.api_endpoint)
+        base_path = parsed_endpoint_url.path
 
         if self.api_version >= version.parse("3.5.0"):
-            parsed_endpoint_url = urlparse(self.api_endpoint)
-            base_path = parsed_endpoint_url.path
             self.allowed_device_query_parameters = [
                 p["name"]
                 for p in openapi["paths"][base_path + "/api/dcim/devices/"]["get"][