diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 78a80c7..52a2c3a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -11,5 +11,6 @@ Don't forget to change the following files:
 * `COPYING`
 * `Makefile.am`
 * `README.md`
+* `VERSION`
 
 Remove directory `include` and submodule `vendor/cross` if you don't need them.
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77d6f4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0.0.0
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index a670389..4823716 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ LT_PREREQ([2.4.6])
 #######################
 
 AC_INIT([autotools-project],
-  [0.0.0],
+  m4_normalize(m4_include([VERSION])),
   [https://github.com/tailix/autotools-project/issues],
   [autotools-project],
   [https://github.com/tailix/autotools-project])