diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py
index 9d9ee2ef..0b0ea1c2 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 # this file should be kept in sync with ../../../version
-__VERSION__ = '0.8'
+__VERSION__ = '0.9~rc1'
diff --git a/version b/version
index aec258df..121c27e8 100644
--- a/version
+++ b/version
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.8
+0.9~rc1