diff --git a/scripts/nix-build.in b/scripts/nix-build.in
index 35b186bb71..13404f1dcb 100755
--- a/scripts/nix-build.in
+++ b/scripts/nix-build.in
@@ -58,6 +58,11 @@ EOF
         # '` hack
     }
 
+    elsif ($arg eq "--version") {
+        print "nix-build (Nix) $Nix::Config::version\n";
+        exit 0;
+    }
+    
     elsif ($arg eq "--add-drv-link") {
         $drvLink = "./derivation";
     }
diff --git a/scripts/nix-channel.in b/scripts/nix-channel.in
index 6883ffd18d..e7a4b0900e 100755
--- a/scripts/nix-channel.in
+++ b/scripts/nix-channel.in
@@ -194,6 +194,11 @@ while (scalar @ARGV) {
         usageError;
     }
 
+    elsif ($arg eq "--version") {
+        print "nix-channel (Nix) $Nix::Config::version\n";
+        exit 0;
+    }
+    
     else {
         die "unknown argument `$arg'; try `--help'";
     }