diff --git a/ext/json/lib/json/version.rb b/ext/json/lib/json/version.rb
index d3d621b755..ee1312c7dd 100644
--- a/ext/json/lib/json/version.rb
+++ b/ext/json/lib/json/version.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # frozen_string_literal: true
 
 module JSON
-  VERSION = '2.7.3'
+  VERSION = '2.8.0.alpha1'
 end