diff --git a/ephios/settings.py b/ephios/settings.py
index 12118b763..b4b5b7dff 100644
--- a/ephios/settings.py
+++ b/ephios/settings.py
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@
 DEBUG = env.bool("DEBUG")
 ALLOWED_HOSTS = env.list("ALLOWED_HOSTS")
 
-EPHIOS_VERSION = importlib_metadata.version("ephios")
+try:
+    EPHIOS_VERSION = importlib_metadata.version("ephios")
+except importlib_metadata.PackageNotFoundError:
+    # ephios is not installed as a package (e.g. development setup)
+    pass
 
 if not DEBUG:
     SESSION_COOKIE_SECURE = True
diff --git a/ephios/templates/base.html b/ephios/templates/base.html
index 6d7f65f6d..7f66cc42a 100644
--- a/ephios/templates/base.html
+++ b/ephios/templates/base.html
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
                     {% blocktranslate trimmed with brand='<a href="https://ephios.de/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">ephios</a>' %}
                         powered by {{ brand }}
                     {% endblocktranslate %}
-                    <samp>{{ ephios_version|default_if_none:"" }}</samp>
+                    <samp>v{{ ephios_version|default_if_none:"" }}</samp>
                 </span>
             </small>
         </div>