diff --git a/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/publisher/client.py b/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/publisher/client.py
index fc89a2adf..7e6801de0 100644
--- a/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/publisher/client.py
+++ b/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/publisher/client.py
@@ -36,7 +36,12 @@
 from google.pubsub_v1 import types as gapic_types
 from google.pubsub_v1.services.publisher import client as publisher_client
 
-__version__ = pkg_resources.get_distribution("google-cloud-pubsub").version
+try:
+    __version__ = pkg_resources.get_distribution("google-cloud-pubsub").version
+except pkg_resources.DistributionNotFound:
+    # Distribution might not be available if we are not running from within a
+    # PIP package.
+    __version__ = "0.0"
 
 _LOGGER = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
diff --git a/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/subscriber/client.py b/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/subscriber/client.py
index b137fbc5f..376530caa 100644
--- a/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/subscriber/client.py
+++ b/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/subscriber/client.py
@@ -27,7 +27,12 @@
 from google.pubsub_v1.services.subscriber import client as subscriber_client
 
 
-__version__ = pkg_resources.get_distribution("google-cloud-pubsub").version
+try:
+    __version__ = pkg_resources.get_distribution("google-cloud-pubsub").version
+except pkg_resources.DistributionNotFound:
+    # Distribution might not be available if we are not running from within
+    # a PIP package.
+    __version__ = "0.0"
 
 _BLACKLISTED_METHODS = (
     "publish",