diff --git a/kbruch/Makefile.am b/kbruch/Makefile.am
index b2c27d10..7b159ffb 100644
--- a/kbruch/Makefile.am
+++ b/kbruch/Makefile.am
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@ SUBDIRS = src testcases
 
 EXTRA_DIST = AUTHORS ChangeLog README TODO kbruch.lsm VERSION
 
-VERSION:=`cat ${PWD}/VERSION`
+VERSION=`cat ${PWD}/VERSION`
 include ../admin/Doxyfile.am