diff --git a/psi4/run_psi4.py b/psi4/run_psi4.py
index 217d7355d03..8edd6687416 100755
--- a/psi4/run_psi4.py
+++ b/psi4/run_psi4.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 import datetime
 import json
 import os
+import re
 import sys
 import warnings
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -200,6 +201,12 @@
     data_dir = os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(args["psidatadir"]))
     os.environ["PSIDATADIR"] = data_dir
 
+if args["version"]:
+    with (psi4_module_loc / "metadata.py").open() as fp: verline = fp.readline()
+    __version__ = re.match(r"__version__ = ['\"](?P<ver>.*)['\"]", verline).group("ver")
+    print(__version__)
+    sys.exit()
+
 ### Actually import psi4 and apply setup ###
 
 # Arrange for warnings to ignore everything except the message
@@ -212,10 +219,6 @@ def custom_formatwarning(msg, *args, **kwargs):
 sys.path.insert(1, lib_dir)
 import psi4  # isort:skip
 
-if args["version"]:
-    print(psi4.__version__)
-    sys.exit()
-
 # Prevents a poor option combination
 if args['plugin_template'] and (not args['plugin_name']):
     raise KeyError("Please specify a '--plugin-name' for your plugin template!")