diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/bazel-watcher/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/bazel-watcher/default.nix
index 9986f8c979d..922ec319017 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/bazel-watcher/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/bazel-watcher/default.nix
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ buildBazelPackage rec {
 
     preBuild = ''
       patchShebangs .
+
+      substituteInPlace ibazel/BUILD --replace '{STABLE_GIT_VERSION}' ${version}
     '';
 
     installPhase = ''