diff --git a/lib/paper_trail/version_concern.rb b/lib/paper_trail/version_concern.rb
index 5ab7326b..3f188e22 100644
--- a/lib/paper_trail/version_concern.rb
+++ b/lib/paper_trail/version_concern.rb
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ module PaperTrail
     alias version_author terminator
 
     def sibling_versions(reload = false)
-      if reload || @sibling_versions.nil?
+      if reload || !defined?(@sibling_versions) || @sibling_versions.nil?
         @sibling_versions = self.class.with_item_keys(item_type, item_id)
       end
       @sibling_versions
diff --git a/paper_trail.gemspec b/paper_trail.gemspec
index 000c9942..a027e380 100644
--- a/paper_trail.gemspec
+++ b/paper_trail.gemspec
@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@ has been destroyed.
   s.add_dependency "request_store", "~> 1.1"
 
   s.add_development_dependency "appraisal", "~> 2.1"
-  s.add_development_dependency "rake", "~> 10.4.2"
-  s.add_development_dependency "shoulda", "~> 3.5.0"
-  s.add_development_dependency "ffaker", "~> 2.1.0"
+  s.add_development_dependency "rake", "~> 12.0"
+  s.add_development_dependency "shoulda", "~> 3.5"
+  s.add_development_dependency "ffaker", "~> 2.5"
 
   # Why `railties`? Possibly used by `test/dummy` boot up?
   s.add_development_dependency "railties", [">= 4.0", "< 5.2"]