diff --git a/python/hyperon/__init__.py b/python/hyperon/__init__.py
index 0949e2e42..26dbaaa96 100644
--- a/python/hyperon/__init__.py
+++ b/python/hyperon/__init__.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ def _version(dist_name):
             from importlib_metadata import PackageNotFoundError, version  # pragma: no cover
         return version(dist_name)
     except:
-        return "unknown"
+        return "0.1.6+localbuild"
 
 __version__ = _version(__name__)