diff --git a/lib/common.php b/lib/common.php
index 030d560aa8..3ad1377ee1 100644
--- a/lib/common.php
+++ b/lib/common.php
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 if (!defined('STATUSNET') && !defined('LACONICA')) { exit(1); }
 
 define('STATUSNET_VERSION', '0.8.1pre1');
+define('LACONICA_VERSION', STATUSNET_VERSION); // compatibility
 
 define('AVATAR_PROFILE_SIZE', 96);
 define('AVATAR_STREAM_SIZE', 48);