--- libanki/anki/db.py
+++ libanki/anki/db.py
@@ -65,6 +65,27 @@
             self._lockDB()
         self._seen = True
 
+    def save(self, obj):
+        # compat
+        if sqlalchemy.__version__.startswith("0.4."):
+            self._session.save(obj)
+        else:
+            self._session.add(obj)
+
+    def clear(self):
+        # compat
+        if sqlalchemy.__version__.startswith("0.4."):
+            self._session.clear()
+        else:
+            self._session.expunge_all()
+
+    def update(self, obj):
+        # compat
+        if sqlalchemy.__version__.startswith("0.4."):
+            self._session.update(obj)
+        else:
+            self._session.add(obj)
+
     def execute(self, *a, **ka):
         x = self._session.execute(*a, **ka)
         runHook("dbFinished")
--- libanki/anki/deck.py
+++ libanki/anki/deck.py
@@ -2841,7 +2841,10 @@
     def _init(s):
         "Add a new deck to the database. Return saved deck."
         deck = Deck()
-        s.save(deck)
+        if sqlalchemy.__version__.startswith("0.4."):
+            s.save(deck)
+        else:
+            s.add(deck)
         s.flush()
         return deck
     _init = staticmethod(_init)