diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 763b7707f..dc1122846 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+Noteworthy changes in version 1.9.8
+------------------------------------------------
+
+
 Noteworthy changes in version 1.9.7 (2004-04-06)
 ------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index a3a4e3d0b..dc296af43 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, 1.9.7, gnupg-devel@gnupg.org)
+AC_INIT(gnupg, 1.9.8-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.