diff --git i/pre_commit/constants.py w/pre_commit/constants.py
index d2f9363..694384f 100644
--- i/pre_commit/constants.py
+++ w/pre_commit/constants.py
@@ -1,10 +1,5 @@
 import sys
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):  # pragma: >=3.8 cover
-    import importlib.metadata as importlib_metadata
-else:  # pragma: <3.8 cover
-    import importlib_metadata
-
 CONFIG_FILE = '.pre-commit-config.yaml'
 MANIFEST_FILE = '.pre-commit-hooks.yaml'
 
@@ -13,7 +8,7 @@ INSTALLED_STATE_VERSION = '1'
 # Bump when modifying `empty_template`
 LOCAL_REPO_VERSION = '1'
 
-VERSION = importlib_metadata.version('pre_commit')
+VERSION = %%PKGVER%%
 
 # `manual` is not invoked by any installed git hook.  See #719
 STAGES = (