diff --git a/makeboarddeb.sh b/makeboarddeb.sh
index a879a12a35..4bc326ed95 100644
--- a/makeboarddeb.sh
+++ b/makeboarddeb.sh
@@ -85,6 +85,14 @@ create_board_package (){
 	echo "MAX_SPEED=$CPUMAX" >> $destination/etc/default/cpufrequtils
 	echo "GOVERNOR=$GOVERNOR" >> $destination/etc/default/cpufrequtils
 
+	# armhwinfo, firstrun, armbianmonitor, etc. config file
+	cat <<-EOF > $destination/etc/armbian-release
+	# PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
+	BOARD=$BOARD
+	ID="$BOARD_NAME"
+	VERSION=$REVISION
+	EOF
+
 	# temper binary for USB temp meter
 	mkdir -p $destination/usr/local/bin