diff --git a/core/version.py b/core/version.py
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/core/version.py
+++ b/core/version.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def check(forceUpdate=False):
     and also allow their desktop client to operate on the same folder.

     """

     if forceUpdate:

-        with open(swhlab.LOCALPATH+"/UPDATENOW.txt") as f:

+        with open(swhlab.LOCALPATH+"/UPDATENOW.txt",'w') as f:

             f.write("pow!")

     print("~~ checking for updates via GitHub (detached subprocess)")

     checkGitHub()
correction to allow writing to the UPDATENOW.txt file