diff --git a/numpy/__init__.py b/numpy/__init__.py
index 0f1bcf7..4b4f5ce 100644
--- a/numpy/__init__.py
+++ b/numpy/__init__.py
@@ -197,3 +197,5 @@ else:
     # but do not use them, we define them here for backward compatibility.
     oldnumeric = 'removed'
     numarray = 'removed'
+
+__mkl_version__ = "__MKL_VERSION__"
