diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 63fdf8735f7..e95f941bf89 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ ultrix-gcc:
 
 # Rules for making release tarballs
 
-VERSION=7.8.3
+VERSION=7.8.3-rc1
 DIRECTORY = Mesa-$(VERSION)
 LIB_NAME = MesaLib-$(VERSION)
 DEMO_NAME = MesaDemos-$(VERSION)