diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 17cb135..bfe3347 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ py = py.find_installation(required: get_option('python'))
 swig = find_program('swig', required: get_option('python'))
 
 version_gen_h = vcs_tag(
+  command: ['git', 'describe', '--dirty=+'],
   input: 'version_gen.h.in',
   output: 'version_gen.h',
 )