diff --git a/newt.spec b/newt.spec
index 4e3d9d1..2b87c2a 100644
--- a/newt.spec
+++ b/newt.spec
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-%define pythonver 2.3
+%define pythonver %(%{__python} -c "import sys; print sys.version[:3]")
 
 Summary: A development library for text mode user interfaces.
 Name: newt
 %define version 0.51.6
 Version: %{version}
-Release: 3
+Release: 4
 License: LGPL
 Group: System Environment/Libraries
 Source: newt-%{version}.tar.gz
@@ -83,6 +83,9 @@ rm -rf $RPM_BUILD_ROOT
 %{_libdir}/libnewt.so
 
 %changelog
+* Thu Oct 14 2004 Adrian Havill <havill@redhat.com> 0.51.6-4
+- make the python version dynamic (#114419)
+
 * Tue Jun 15 2004 Elliot Lee <sopwith@redhat.com>
 - rebuilt