diff --git a/r2/r2/controllers/health.py b/r2/r2/controllers/health.py
index 62a8b4820..08fead5c8 100644
--- a/r2/r2/controllers/health.py
+++ b/r2/r2/controllers/health.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from threading import Thread
 import os
 import time
+import json
 
 from pylons.controllers.util import abort
 from pylons import c, g, response
@@ -23,4 +24,4 @@ class HealthController(MinimalController):
     def GET_health(self):
         c.dontcache = True
         response.headers['Content-Type'] = 'text/plain'
-        return "i'm still alive!"
+        return json.dumps(g.versions, sort_keys=True, indent=4)
diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/app_globals.py b/r2/r2/lib/app_globals.py
index 5dd0731ee..595187d5c 100755
--- a/r2/r2/lib/app_globals.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/app_globals.py
@@ -428,13 +428,15 @@ class Globals(object):
             raise Exception("write_query_queue requires use_query_cache")
 
         # try to set the source control revision number
+        self.versions = {}
+
         try:
-            self.version = subprocess.check_output(["git", "rev-parse", "HEAD"])
+            self.versions['r2'] = subprocess.check_output(["git", "rev-parse", "HEAD"])
         except subprocess.CalledProcessError, e:
             self.log.info("Couldn't read source revision (%r)" % e)
-            self.version = self.short_version = '(unknown)'
+            self.versions['r2'] = self.short_version = '(unknown)'
         else:
-            self.short_version = self.version[:7]
+            self.short_version = self.versions['r2'][:7]
 
         if self.log_start:
             self.log.error("reddit app %s:%s started %s at %s" %