diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index d698f2096..905c5852a 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+Noteworthy changes in version 1.9.6
+------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
 Noteworthy changes in version 1.9.5 (2004-02-21)
 ------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 210c6e744..f9cfce22d 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ min_automake_version="1.7.6"
 
 # Version number: Remember to change it immediately *after* a release.
 #                 Add a "-cvs" prefix for non-released code.
-AC_INIT(gnupg, 1.9.5, gnupg-devel@gnupg.org)
+AC_INIT(gnupg, 1.9.6-cvs, gnupg-devel@gnupg.org)
 # Set development_version to yes if the minor number is odd or you
 # feel that the default check for a development version is not
 # sufficient.