diff --git a/distribution/openrct2.d.ts b/distribution/openrct2.d.ts
index e365b013ae..bd2d29dac9 100644
--- a/distribution/openrct2.d.ts
+++ b/distribution/openrct2.d.ts
@@ -137,7 +137,11 @@ declare global {
         type: PluginType;
         licence: string;
         minApiVersion?: number;
-        targetApiVersion?: number;
+        /**
+         * The Plug-in API version the current plug-in is designed for. This is used for backwards compatibility.
+         * E.g.: 66
+         */
+        targetApiVersion: number;
         main: () => void;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/openrct2/scripting/Plugin.cpp b/src/openrct2/scripting/Plugin.cpp
index 699ccf5a7c..5a4b84257f 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/scripting/Plugin.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/scripting/Plugin.cpp
@@ -161,6 +161,12 @@ PluginMetadata Plugin::GetMetadata(const DukValue& dukMetadata)
         {
             metadata.TargetApiVersion = dukTargetApiVersion.as_int();
         }
+        else
+        {
+            log_error(
+                u8"Plug-in “%s” does not specify a target API version or specifies it incorrectly. Emulating deprecated APIs.",
+                metadata.Name.c_str());
+        }
 
         auto dukAuthors = dukMetadata["authors"];
         dukAuthors.push();