diff --git a/debian/rules b/debian/rules
index be2555250ac63cf32b3497fa254a430c4906f727..0d220e1ee55efa93be1cab2242f9e458bba6419d 100755
--- a/debian/rules
+++ b/debian/rules
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ export DH_OPTIONS
 export DH_GOPKG = 0xacab.org/leap/bitmask-vpn
 export DH_GOLANG_EXCLUDES = vendor
 
+VERSION = debian-$(shell git describe --tags --always)
+
 %:
 	dh $@ --with golang --buildsystem golang
 
@@ -16,7 +18,7 @@ override_dh_auto_build:
 	rm -rf src/0xacab.org/leap/bitmask-vpn/tools/transifex
 	rm -rf obj-$(DEB_BUILD_GNU_TYPE)/src/0xacab.org/leap/bitmask-vpn/tools/transifex
 	rm -rf tools
-	dh_auto_build
+	dh_auto_build -O--buildsystem=golang -- -ldflags "-X main.version=$(VERSION)"
 
 override_dh_install:
 	mkdir -p $(CURDIR)/debian/riseup-vpn/usr/sbin