diff --git a/python/VERSION b/python/VERSION
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c19f3b832b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/VERSION
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0.6.1.0a1
diff --git a/python/setup.cfg b/python/setup.cfg
index 3fa92a2e73..b0010e0188 100644
--- a/python/setup.cfg
+++ b/python/setup.cfg
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 [metadata]
 name = qemu
+version = file:VERSION
 maintainer = QEMU Developer Team
 maintainer_email = qemu-devel@nongnu.org
 url = https://www.qemu.org/