diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index fa9604d3e4897e..b1c3254441f3f3 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 VERSION = 3
-PATCHLEVEL = 18
+PATCHLEVEL = 19
 SUBLEVEL = 0
-EXTRAVERSION =
+EXTRAVERSION = -rc1
 NAME = Diseased Newt
 
 # *DOCUMENTATION*