diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 275b85a..8debca9 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ CMAKE_MINIMUM_REQUIRED(VERSION 2.8 FATAL_ERROR)
 PROJECT(volregrid)
 
 # get current version from git tag
-EXECUTE_PROCESS(COMMAND git describe
+EXECUTE_PROCESS(COMMAND git describe --always
    OUTPUT_VARIABLE VERSION_STRING
    OUTPUT_STRIP_TRAILING_WHITESPACE)