diff --git a/matter_server/common/helpers/util.py b/matter_server/common/helpers/util.py
index 949c23cb..217207ca 100644
--- a/matter_server/common/helpers/util.py
+++ b/matter_server/common/helpers/util.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 """Utils for Matter server (and client)."""
+
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import base64
@@ -257,6 +258,7 @@ def dataclass_from_dict(cls: type[_T], dict_obj: dict, strict: bool = False) ->
                 dict_obj.get(field.name),
                 type_hints[field.name],
                 field.default,
+                allow_none=not strict,
             )
             for field in dc_fields
             if field.init
diff --git a/matter_server/server/device_controller.py b/matter_server/server/device_controller.py
index 2f35027d..761128ea 100644
--- a/matter_server/server/device_controller.py
+++ b/matter_server/server/device_controller.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 from matter_server.server.helpers.attributes import parse_attributes_from_read_result
 from matter_server.server.helpers.utils import ping_ip
 
-from ..common.const import SCHEMA_VERSION
 from ..common.errors import (
     NodeCommissionFailed,
     NodeInterviewFailed,
@@ -156,11 +155,23 @@ async def start(self) -> None:
                 # as this can no longer happen.
                 orphaned_nodes.add(node_id_str)
                 continue
-            if node_dict.get("interview_version") != SCHEMA_VERSION:
-                # Invalidate node attributes data if schema mismatch,
-                # the node will automatically be scheduled for re-interview.
-                node_dict["attributes"] = {}
-            node = dataclass_from_dict(MatterNodeData, node_dict)
+            try:
+                node = dataclass_from_dict(MatterNodeData, node_dict, strict=True)
+            except (KeyError, ValueError):
+                # constructing MatterNodeData from the cached dict is not possible,
+                # revert to a fallback object and the node will be re-interviewed
+                node = MatterNodeData(
+                    node_id=node_id,
+                    date_commissioned=node_dict.get(
+                        "date_commissioned",
+                        datetime(1970, 1, 1),
+                    ),
+                    last_interview=node_dict.get(
+                        "last_interview",
+                        datetime(1970, 1, 1),
+                    ),
+                    interview_version=0,
+                )
             # always mark node as unavailable at startup until subscriptions are ready
             node.available = False
             self._nodes[node_id] = node