diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 22f99249..3d87c6ae 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -45,10 +45,7 @@
             VERSION += "." + MATCH.group("post")
 
         with open("rethinkdb/version.py", "w") as f:
-            f.writelines([
-                "# Autogenerated version",
-                "VERSION = {0}".format(VERSION)
-            ])
+            f.write('VERSION = {0}'.format(repr(VERSION)))
     else:
         raise RuntimeError("{!r} does not match version format {!r}".format(
             RETHINKDB_VERSION_DESCRIBE, VERSION_RE))