diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 3bf888a2..d8e257bd 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+dbus 1.16.1 (UNRELEASED)
+========================
+
+...
+
 dbus 1.16.0 (2024-12-16)
 ========================
 
diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 216ac882..9767d355 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 project('dbus',
     'c',
-    version: '1.16.0',
+    version: '1.16.1',
     meson_version: '>=0.56',
 )