diff --git a/py/makeversionhdr.py b/py/makeversionhdr.py
index da6f7c9f59..84bba402d9 100644
--- a/py/makeversionhdr.py
+++ b/py/makeversionhdr.py
@@ -22,13 +22,14 @@ def get_version_info_from_git():
             [tools_describe],
             stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
             universal_newlines=True,
+            shell=True
         ).strip()
     except subprocess.CalledProcessError as er:
         if er.returncode == 128:
             # git exit code of 128 means no repository found
             return None
         git_tag = ""
-    except OSError:
+    except OSError as e:
         return None
     try:
         git_hash = subprocess.check_output(