diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 12463376e3c811f3d38880b464c326b3fd907549..6b3e3cbaf070aff5b2261af44239b08d365ef60a 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
     "name": "element-web",
-    "version": "1.11.96",
+    "version": "1.11.97-rc.0",
     "description": "Element: the future of secure communication",
     "author": "New Vector Ltd.",
     "repository": {