diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 32c618ba320..e64d55f0671 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2.4.3 0.3.beta3
+2.4.3.0 0.4.rc1
diff --git a/lib/ansible/release.py b/lib/ansible/release.py
index 9f74ee4ff6c..0e1ab52ee1c 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__ = '2.4.3'
+__version__ = '2.4.3.0'
 __author__ = 'Ansible, Inc.'