diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py
index ddb324f1..eac6e609 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 # this file should be kept in sync with ../../../version
-__VERSION__ = '0.21~rc1'
+__VERSION__ = '0.21~rc2'
 SOVERSION = '4'
diff --git a/version b/version
index 96f7446d..5d9ec5f7 100644
--- a/version
+++ b/version
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.21~rc1
+0.21~rc2