Index: src/java/org/apache/lucene/util/Constants.java
===================================================================
--- src/java/org/apache/lucene/util/Constants.java	(revision 828082)
+++ src/java/org/apache/lucene/util/Constants.java	(working copy)
@@ -66,9 +66,15 @@
       }
     }
   }
+  
+  // this method prevents inlining the final version constant in compiled classes,
+  // see: http://www.javaworld.com/community/node/3400
+  private static String ident(final String s) {
+    return s.toString();
+  }
+  
+  public static final String LUCENE_MAIN_VERSION = ident("2.9");
 
-  public static final String LUCENE_MAIN_VERSION = "2.9";
-
   public static final String LUCENE_VERSION;
   static {
     Package pkg = LucenePackage.get();
@@ -78,6 +84,6 @@
     } else if (v.indexOf(LUCENE_MAIN_VERSION) == -1) {
       v = v + " [" + LUCENE_MAIN_VERSION + "]";
     }
-    LUCENE_VERSION = v;
+    LUCENE_VERSION = ident(v);
   }
 }