diff --git a/lib/ansible/release.py b/lib/ansible/release.py
index 1198c369d36..1f099124cb8 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__ = '2.8.18rc1'
+__version__ = '2.8.18rc1.post0'
 __author__ = 'Ansible, Inc.'
 __codename__ = 'How Many More Times'