diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 7ada0d3..262b51c 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.8.5
+0.9.0-rc1
diff --git a/functional-tests/scenario-string-constants.scm b/functional-tests/scenario-string-constants.scm
index 70ae39c..90b0507 100644
--- a/functional-tests/scenario-string-constants.scm
+++ b/functional-tests/scenario-string-constants.scm
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ Options:
   {-V|--version}")
 
   (define thin-metadata-pack-help
-    "thin_metadata_pack 0.8.5
+    "thin_metadata_pack 0.9.0-rc1
 Produces a compressed file of thin metadata.  Only packs metadata blocks that are actually used.
 
 USAGE:
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ OPTIONS:
     -o <FILE>        Specify packed output file")
 
   (define thin-metadata-unpack-help
-    "thin_metadata_unpack 0.8.5
+    "thin_metadata_unpack 0.9.0-rc1
 Unpack a compressed file of thin metadata.
 
 USAGE:
diff --git a/functional-tests/thin-functional-tests.scm b/functional-tests/thin-functional-tests.scm
index b6e5a77..dbabb10 100644
--- a/functional-tests/thin-functional-tests.scm
+++ b/functional-tests/thin-functional-tests.scm
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@
   (define-scenario (thin-metadata-pack version)
     "accepts --version"
     (run-ok-rcv (stdout _) (thin-metadata-pack "--version")
-      (assert-equal "thin_metadata_pack 0.8.5" stdout)))
+      (assert-equal "thin_metadata_pack 0.9.0-rc1" stdout)))
 
   (define-scenario (thin-metadata-pack h)
     "accepts -h"
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@
   (define-scenario (thin-metadata-unpack version)
     "accepts --version"
     (run-ok-rcv (stdout _) (thin-metadata-unpack "--version")
-      (assert-equal "thin_metadata_unpack 0.8.5" stdout)))
+      (assert-equal "thin_metadata_unpack 0.9.0-rc1" stdout)))
 
   (define-scenario (thin-metadata-unpack h)
     "accepts -h"