diff --git a/release.sh b/release.sh
index c854cd1d..7e157d6d 100644
--- a/release.sh
+++ b/release.sh
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ fi
 
 if [ $1 = "prepare" ]; then
 	# define release version
-	version=`cat VERSION`
+	version=`php system/get_version_for_release.php`
 
 	echo "Preparing to release version $version of the MyAAC Project!"
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ fi
 
 if [ $1 = "pack" ]; then
 	# define release version
-	version=`cat VERSION`
+	version=`php system/get_version_for_release.php`
 
 	cd tmp || exit
 
diff --git a/system/get_version_for_release.php b/system/get_version_for_release.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fa378dbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/system/get_version_for_release.php
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+<?php
+
+require __DIR__ . '/../common.php';
+echo MYAAC_VERSION;