diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 6008f6d0db..fbaa198d82 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2.4.4 0.2.rc1
+2.4.4.0 0.3.rc2
diff --git a/lib/ansible/release.py b/lib/ansible/release.py
index f57a44a3f7..35595366d3 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/release.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/release.py
@@ -19,5 +19,5 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-__version__ = '2.4.4'
+__version__ = '2.4.4.0'
 __author__ = 'Ansible, Inc.'