diff --git a/pandaserd/version.py b/pandaserd/version.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e019849
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pandaserd/version.py
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+import os
+def string():
+    try:
+        with open(os.path.dirname(__file__) + "/VERSION", "r", encoding="utf-8") as fh:
+            version = fh.read().strip()
+            if version:
+                return version
+    except:
+        pass
+    return "unknown (git checkout)"