diff --git a/networkz/__init__.py b/networkz/__init__.py
index 7c84d72..27ede28 100644
--- a/networkz/__init__.py
+++ b/networkz/__init__.py
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
 
 # Get the current directory of the __init__.py file
 current_directory = os.path.dirname(__file__)
+here = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent
+
+__version__ = ( here / "VERSION").read_text().strip()
 
 version_file_path = os.path.join(current_directory, "VERSION")