diff --git a/gplately/__init__.py b/gplately/__init__.py
index c0a047ee..0b3b91e7 100644
--- a/gplately/__init__.py
+++ b/gplately/__init__.py
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@
 
 """
 
-__version__ = "1.2.8"
+__version__ = "1.3.0rc0"
 
 try:
     import plate_model_manager