diff --git a/RELEASE_VERSION b/RELEASE_VERSION
deleted file mode 100644
index 45a1b3f44..000000000
--- a/RELEASE_VERSION
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-1.1.2
diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index b75891553..0b4991815 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -52,10 +52,10 @@ main() {
     RELEASE_VERSION=$(git describe --abbrev=0 --tags | tr -d 'v')
   fi
   if [ -z "${RELEASE_VERSION}" ] ; then
-    RELEASE_VERSION=$(cat RELEASE_VERSION)
+    echo "RELEASE_VERSION must be set"
+    exit 1
   fi
 
-
   buildpath=/tmp/gh-ost-release
   target=gh-ost
   timestamp=$(date "+%Y%m%d%H%M%S")