diff --git a/metplus/component_versions.py b/metplus/component_versions.py
index 807c48258..9e363431c 100755
--- a/metplus/component_versions.py
+++ b/metplus/component_versions.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def get_component_version(input_component, input_version, output_component,
     return output_format.format(X=x, Y=y, Z=z, N=dev_version)
 
 def _is_development(input_version, get_dev, rc_is_dev):
-    if '-dev' in input_version:
+    if '-dev' in input_version or input_version == "develop":
         return True
 
     check_exts = ['-beta']