diff --git a/middleman-core/lib/middleman-core/version.rb b/middleman-core/lib/middleman-core/version.rb
index 236fd14d..be0be167 100644
--- a/middleman-core/lib/middleman-core/version.rb
+++ b/middleman-core/lib/middleman-core/version.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Middleman
   # Current Version
   # @return [String]
-  VERSION = '4.1.0' unless const_defined?(:VERSION)
+  VERSION = '4.1.0.rc.1' unless const_defined?(:VERSION)
 end