diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 78a5f73687..50a002e72f 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
 #
 
 VERSION = 2017
-PATCHLEVEL = 07
+PATCHLEVEL = 09
 SUBLEVEL =
-EXTRAVERSION =
+EXTRAVERSION = -rc1
 NAME =
 
 # *DOCUMENTATION*