diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index c519b17422..49d9aff7da 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
-### 3.8.0dev <- NOTE: the release version number will be 3.8.1 ###
+### 3.8.1beta1 <- NOTE: the release version number will be 3.8.1 ###
 
 - Add IPv6 support for direct connections (#1017, #1938).
   (contributed by @jardous, @softins)
diff --git a/Jamulus.pro b/Jamulus.pro
index 89072d5bd6..f7f9cdc3fa 100644
--- a/Jamulus.pro
+++ b/Jamulus.pro
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-VERSION = 3.8.0dev
+VERSION = 3.8.1beta1
 
 # use target name which does not use a captital letter at the beginning
 contains(CONFIG, "noupcasename") {