diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-publish.yml b/.github/workflows/build-publish.yml
index d1c7df8..9425231 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-publish.yml
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@ jobs:
         build
         --sdist
         --outdir dist/ .
+          
+    - name: Ensure .VERSION file is included
+      run: cp .VERSION dist/
 
     - name: Publish distribution 📦 to PyPI
       if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags')