diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 980f2f6..3349f03 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -528,17 +528,10 @@
 
 # versioninfo.inc is used when packaging flashrom and is generated by the
 # export rule. If versioninfo.inc is not found, version info will be obtained
-# using util/getrevision.sh or "unknown" if SCM metadata directory isn't found.
+# using util/getrevision.sh.
 ifeq ($(wildcard versioninfo.inc),)
-ifeq ($(wildcard .git),)
-VERSION ?= unknown
-MAN_DATE ?= unknown
-else
 VERSION ?= $(shell ./util/getrevision.sh --local)
-MAN_DATE ?= $(shell ./util/getrevision.sh -d $(PROGRAM).8.tmpl 2>/dev/null)
-# This is also a convenient time to install hooks.
-$(shell ./util/git-hooks/install.sh)
-endif
+MAN_DATE ?= $(shell ./util/getrevision.sh --date $(PROGRAM).8.tmpl 2>/dev/null)
 else
 include versioninfo.inc
 endif
@@ -557,6 +550,9 @@
 # Inform user of the version string
 $(info Replacing all version templates with $(VERSION).)
 
+# If a VCS is found then try to install hooks.
+$(shell ./util/getrevision.sh -c 2>/dev/null && ./util/git-hooks/install.sh)
+
 ###############################################################################
 # Default settings of CONFIG_* variables.