diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 9e24bef..a8774c4 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -13,3 +13,5 @@
 	echo $(VERSION) > $(distdir)/.tarball-version
 
 EXTRA_DIST = .version README.md
+
+@RELMAKE@
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 0686f64..eb7733e 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@
 dnl kernel style compile messages
 m4_ifdef([AM_SILENT_RULES], [AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])])
 
+dnl include release helper
+RELMAKE='-include osmo-release.mk'
+AC_SUBST([RELMAKE])
+
 dnl checks for programs
 AC_PROG_MAKE_SET
 AC_PROG_CC