diff --git a/external/nanopb/generator/nanopb_generator.py b/external/nanopb/generator/nanopb_generator.py
index e40f18b..64dad5e 100755
--- a/external/nanopb/generator/nanopb_generator.py
+++ b/external/nanopb/generator/nanopb_generator.py
@@ -1463,7 +1463,12 @@ class Message(ProtoElement):
         optional_only.ClearField(str('extension'))
         optional_only.ClearField(str('enum_type'))
         desc = google.protobuf.descriptor.MakeDescriptor(optional_only)
-        msg = reflection.MakeClass(desc)()
+        # protobuf >= 5 removed reflection.MakeClass (patch for this project)
+        try:
+            msg = reflection.MakeClass(desc)()
+        except AttributeError:
+            from google.protobuf import message_factory
+            msg = message_factory.GetMessageClass(desc)()
 
         for field in optional_only.field:
             if field.type == FieldD.TYPE_STRING: