diff --git a/dev/release.py b/dev/release.py
index 6d64c932..c5248254 100755
--- a/dev/release.py
+++ b/dev/release.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def run(self):
             for line in fh.readlines():
                 line = line.strip()
                 if (
-                    line == '------------------' and
+                    line == '-' * len(expected) and
                     last_line == expected
                 ):
                     have_ver = True