diff --git a/build.go b/build.go
index c51eb83..5cf94d6 100644
--- a/build.go
+++ b/build.go
@@ -77,6 +77,9 @@ func (f *Forge) doBuild(repo *gitpb.Repo, userFlags []string, goWhat string) err
 
 	// get the version
 	version := repo.GetCurrentBranchVersion()
+	if version == "" {
+		version = "forgeErr"
+	}
 
 	if repo.CheckDirty() {
 		version = version + "-dirty"