When creating a release, expect VERSION to be a make variable.

Makefile

@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ snapshot: bootstrap git-revision
 	cd extension ; zip -r ../qfq-$(NIGHTLY_DATE)-$(GIT_REVISION_SHORT) $(EXTENSION_CONTENT) revision.git -x config.ini
 
 release: bootstrap git-revision
-	test -z "$${VERSION}" && echo "Set VERSION environment variable to the release version (fmt: maj.min.micro)"
-	cd extension ; zip -r "../qfq.$${VERSION}_$${RELEASE_DATE}" $(EXTENSION_CONTENT) revision.git -x config.ini
+	test -z "$(VERSION)" && echo "Set VERSION make variable to the release version (fmt: maj.min.micro)"
+	cd extension ; zip -r "../qfq.$(VERSION)_$(RELEASE_DATE)" $(EXTENSION_CONTENT) revision.git -x config.ini
 
 
 t3sphinx: