diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a5effa30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+v1.12.0
diff --git a/src/IRCBot.py b/src/IRCBot.py
index 9ff382ab..5e4371e1 100644
--- a/src/IRCBot.py
+++ b/src/IRCBot.py
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@ import typing, uuid
 from src import EventManager, Exports, IRCServer, Logging, ModuleManager
 from src import PollHook, PollSource, Socket, Timers, utils
 
-VERSION = "v1.12.0"
+with open("VERSION", "r") as version_file:
+    VERSION = version_file.read().strip()
 SOURCE = "https://git.io/bitbot"
 URL = "https://bitbot.dev"