diff --git a/build_scripts/append_to_version_file.py b/build_scripts/append_to_version_file.py
index 33d2906..e25a96d 100644
--- a/build_scripts/append_to_version_file.py
+++ b/build_scripts/append_to_version_file.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ def set_version_string(new_version_string):
 def main():
     current_version = get_version_string()
     if "-release" in current_version.lower():
-        current_version.replace("-release", "")
+        new_version = current_version.replace("-release", "")
     else:
         new_version = current_version + "+" + argv[1]