diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 8cc406e19d..37778ba893 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ dnl
 dnl SEE RELEASE.md FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DO A RELEASE.
 dnl
 m4_define([year_version], [2023])
-m4_define([release_version], [7])
+m4_define([release_version], [8])
 m4_define([package_version], [year_version.release_version])
 AC_INIT([rpm-ostree], [package_version], [coreos@lists.fedoraproject.org])
 AC_CONFIG_HEADER([config.h])