diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 51fb6027b3..6eea6f71c7 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-2.5.0devel
+2.5.0b1
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/release.py b/lib/ansible/release.py
index 08c11d8a9d..60b343dbd7 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__ = '2.5.0devel'
+__version__ = '2.5.0b1'
 __author__ = 'Ansible, Inc.'