diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..197c4d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+2.4.0
diff --git a/nsq-ruby.gemspec b/nsq-ruby.gemspec
index b048c32..6dafd1c 100644
--- a/nsq-ruby.gemspec
+++ b/nsq-ruby.gemspec
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Gem::Specification.new do |s|
   s.name = "nsq-ruby".freeze
-  s.version = "2.3.1"
+  s.version = File.read('VERSION')
 
   s.required_rubygems_version = Gem::Requirement.new(">= 0".freeze) if s.respond_to? :required_rubygems_version=
   s.require_paths = ["lib".freeze]