diff --git a/sat/__init__.py b/sat/__init__.py
index 76b91fcf..3a44b9c0 100644
--- a/sat/__init__.py
+++ b/sat/__init__.py
@@ -19,5 +19,9 @@
 import os.path
 
 version_file = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'VERSION')
-with open(version_file) as f:
-    __version__ = f.read().strip()
+try:
+    with open(version_file) as f:
+        __version__ = f.read().strip()
+except NotImplementedError:
+    # pyjamas workaround
+    __version__ = '0.7D'