diff --git a/build/version_plugin.js b/build/version_plugin.js
index b8ce9971..af351a3a 100644
--- a/build/version_plugin.js
+++ b/build/version_plugin.js
@@ -1,6 +1,14 @@
-const commit = require('git-rev-sync').short();
+const gitRevSync = require('git-rev-sync');
 const pkg = require('../package.json');
 
+let commit = 'unknown';
+
+try {
+  commit = gitRevSync.short();
+} catch (e) {
+  console.warn('Error fetching current git commit: ' + e);
+}
+
 const version = JSON.stringify({
   commit,
   source: pkg.homepage,