diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 7f5960d5191..dbb9fcdf1c3 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ distcheck:
 	touch .tmplock
 	WAFLOCK=.tmplock $(WAF) distcheck
 
+printversion:
+	touch .tmplock
+	WAFLOCK=.tmplock $(WAF) printversion
+
 clean:
 	$(WAF) clean
 
diff --git a/wscript b/wscript
index 08995fbe4ec..b87b043e12b 100644
--- a/wscript
+++ b/wscript
@@ -542,6 +542,11 @@ def distcheck():
     '''test that distribution tarball builds and installs'''
     samba_version.load_version(env=None)
 
+def printversion(ctx):
+    '''print version'''
+    ver = samba_version.load_version(env=None)
+    print('Samba Version: ' + ver.STRING_WITH_NICKNAME)
+
 def wildcard_cmd(cmd):
     '''called on a unknown command'''
     from samba_wildcard import run_named_build_task