diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 36a77a3d156c..05d67af376c5 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 VERSION = 3
-PATCHLEVEL = 17
+PATCHLEVEL = 18
 SUBLEVEL = 0
-EXTRAVERSION =
+EXTRAVERSION = -rc1
 NAME = Shuffling Zombie Juror
 
 # *DOCUMENTATION*