diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 9ba61469..e429da1a 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ include/chibi/install.h: Makefile
 	echo '#define sexp_default_module_dir "'$(MODDIR)'"' >> $@
 	echo '#define sexp_platform "'$(PLATFORM)'"' >> $@
 	echo '#define sexp_version "'`cat VERSION`'"' >> $@
+	echo '#define sexp_release_name "'`cat RELEASE`'"' >> $@
 
 sexp.o: sexp.c gc.c opt/bignum.c $(INCLUDES) Makefile
 	$(CC) -c $(XCPPFLAGS) $(XCFLAGS) $(CLIBFLAGS) -o $@ $<
diff --git a/RELEASE b/RELEASE
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..35f6fb33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/RELEASE
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+lithium