diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index ccd4237b5..7fda5c5db 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+Noteworthy changes in version 1.2.1 (unreleased)
+------------------------------------------------
+
+
 Noteworthy changes in version 1.2.0 (2002-09-21)
 ------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 973be5219..8fdb9369a 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -22,11 +22,12 @@ dnlAC_REVISION($Revision$)dnl
 
 AC_PREREQ(2.52)
 
-# Remember to change the version number immediately *after* a release.
+# Remember to change the version number immediately *after* a release
+# and remove the "-cvs" suffix immediately *before* a release.
+AC_INIT(gnupg, 1.2.1-cvs, bug-gnupg@gnu.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.
-AC_INIT(gnupg, 1.2.0, bug-gnupg@gnu.org)
 development_version=no
 
 ALL_LINGUAS="ca cs da de eo el es et fr gl id it ja nl pl pt_BR pt sv tr"