diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 67dfa165af..38d08344e0 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "matrix-react-sdk",
-  "version": "0.8.7",
+  "version": "0.8.8-rc.1",
   "description": "SDK for matrix.org using React",
   "author": "matrix.org",
   "repository": {