diff --git i/pre_commit/constants.py w/pre_commit/constants.py
index 3f03cee..e092c19 100644
--- i/pre_commit/constants.py
+++ w/pre_commit/constants.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ MANIFEST_FILE = '.pre-commit-hooks.yaml'
 # Bump when modifying `empty_template`
 LOCAL_REPO_VERSION = '1'
 
-VERSION = importlib.metadata.version('pre_commit')
+VERSION = %%PKGVER%%
 
 # `manual` is not invoked by any installed git hook.  See #719
 STAGES = (