diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/governance/approve.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/governance/approve.ts
index 39847f92872..c58b4485b48 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/governance/approve.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/governance/approve.ts
@@ -62,9 +62,14 @@ export default class Approve extends BaseCommand {
         await governance.dequeueProposalsIfReady().sendAndWaitForReceipt()
       }
 
+      const governanceVersion = await governance.version()
+
       await checkBuilder
         .proposalExists(id)
-        .proposalInStage(id, 'Referendum')
+        .proposalInStage(
+          id,
+          governanceVersion.storage === 1 && governanceVersion.major < 3 ? 'Approval' : 'Referendum'
+        )
         .addCheck(`${id} not already approved`, async () => !(await governance.isApproved(id)))
         .runChecks()
       governanceTx = await governance.approve(id)