diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index d8c784dff831858758b4cc2abdb860136bfc756f..512e47a53e9aebf10b144b888b349df5ede5f8d0 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 VERSION = 4
-PATCHLEVEL = 8
+PATCHLEVEL = 9
 SUBLEVEL = 0
-EXTRAVERSION =
+EXTRAVERSION = -rc1
 NAME = Psychotic Stoned Sheep
 
 # *DOCUMENTATION*