diff --git a/jme3-core/build.gradle b/jme3-core/build.gradle
index 39fe9bc3b..c8b311739 100644
--- a/jme3-core/build.gradle
+++ b/jme3-core/build.gradle
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ task updateVersionPropertiesFile {
                           "version.tag=${jmeVersionTag}"
 
     outputs.upToDateWhen { 
-        versionFile.text == versionFileText
+        versionFile.exists() && versionFile.text == versionFileText
     }
     doLast {
         versionFile.text = versionFileText