diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index ffc9d46b..982cb150 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -39,3 +39,4 @@ Makefile.in
 version.h
 .remake-version-h
 config.cache
+*.rpm
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7e32cd56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+1.3