diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index b5ec6d87..5b2d1b83 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
     setuptools_scm_requirement = 'setuptools_scm>=5.0.0,<=5.0.2'
 elif python_version >= (3, 6) and current_setuptools_version >= pkg_resources.parse_version("34.4.0"):
     setuptools_scm_requirement = 'setuptools_scm>=4.0.0,<=4.1.2'
-    scm_dict = {'write_to': version_file_path, 'write_to_template': '__version__ "{version}"'}
+    scm_dict = {'write_to': version_file_path, 'write_to_template': '__version__ = "{version}"'}
 
 
 # if python_version < (3, 8):