diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 494a4298..d05c6a51 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -5,11 +5,7 @@ SHELL := bash
 
 # Set the package's name and version for use throughout the Makefile.
 PACKAGE_NAME := package
-ifeq ($(origin VIRTUAL_ENV),undefined)
-  PACKAGE_VERSION := unknown
-else
-  PACKAGE_VERSION := $(shell python -c 'import $(PACKAGE_NAME); print($(PACKAGE_NAME).__version__)')
-endif
+PACKAGE_VERSION := $(shell python -c $$'try: import $(PACKAGE_NAME); print($(PACKAGE_NAME).__version__);\nexcept: print("unknown");')
 
 # This variable contains the first goal that matches any of the listed goals
 # here, else it contains an empty string. The net effect is to filter out