diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index ee6cdce3c2..8b9dea59dc 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.6.1
+0.6.1a
diff --git a/synapse/__init__.py b/synapse/__init__.py
index c3f1ac63be..2195ad3177 100644
--- a/synapse/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/__init__.py
@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@
 """ This is a reference implementation of a synapse home server.
 """
 
-__version__ = "0.6.1"
+__version__ = "0.6.1a"