diff --git a/emacs/version.texi.in b/emacs/version.texi.in
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b58e355f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/emacs/version.texi.in
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+@c the version for mu/mu4e
+@set mu4e-version @VERSION@
+