diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 0cb62d5ea3..a1bd07ef67 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "riot-web",
   "productName": "Riot",
-  "version": "1.7.8",
+  "version": "1.7.9-rc.1",
   "description": "A feature-rich client for Matrix.org",
   "author": "New Vector Ltd.",
   "repository": {