diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 553747e..eb149d4 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ ACLOCAL_AMFLAGS = -I m4
 EXTRA_DIST += \
 	usrp.pc.in \
 	usrp.iss.in \
-	usrp.inf
+	usrp.inf \
+	.version
 
 SUBDIRS = host fpga doc firmware
 
@@ -34,4 +35,10 @@ pkgconfigdir = $(libdir)/pkgconfig
 pkgconfig_DATA = \
 	usrp.pc
 
+BUILT_SOURCES = $(top_srcdir)/.version
+$(top_srcdir)/.version:
+	echo $(VERSION) > $@-t && mv $@-t $@
+dist-hook:
+	echo $(VERSION) > $(distdir)/.tarball-version
+
 @RELMAKE@