diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 264f37b8b26..2a4729024df 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 VERSION = 2
 PATCHLEVEL = 6
-SUBLEVEL = 23
-EXTRAVERSION =
+SUBLEVEL = 24
+EXTRAVERSION = -rc1
 NAME = Arr Matey! A Hairy Bilge Rat!
 
 # *DOCUMENTATION*