diff --git a/lib/ansible/release.py b/lib/ansible/release.py
index d02f816c24..b18f664ebb 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/release.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/release.py
@@ -19,6 +19,6 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-__version__ = '2.6.0'
+__version__ = '2.6.0.dev0'
 __author__ = 'Ansible, Inc.'
 __codename__ = 'Heartbreaker'