diff --git a/build-helper b/build-helper
index 3bbf4dfc..dd0d5d93 100755
--- a/build-helper
+++ b/build-helper
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ eof
         fi
     ;;
     version)
-        git describe > cdist/version.py
+        echo "VERSION = \"$(git describe)\"" > cdist/version.py
     ;;
 
     *)