diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 5b4bc4a2..f96c53c9 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # configure.ac
 
-AC_INIT(tmux, master)
+AC_INIT(tmux, 2.8-rc)
 AC_PREREQ([2.60])
 
 AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR(etc)